The Quebec government said Wednesday that "no public
funds will be used to help" the Expos build a new ballpark,
"no matter how much in private funding is raised as a result
of the creation of a new ownership consortium," according to
David Johnston of the Montreal GAZETTE. Aids to Premier
Lucien Bouchard and Finance Minister Bernard Landry made the
announcement a day before Expos Chair Jacques Menard and the
team's ownership group are expected to hold a press
conference "at which they will provide an update on their
efforts to buy out president and managing partner Claude
Brochu, bring in new investors and relaunch the stadium
project." It has been "widely speculated" that Menard's
group will reveal today that N.Y. art dealer Jeffrey Loria
"is poised" to provide C$50M-100M in stadium financing "in
return for a large equity position in the team, as well as
operating control as the new managing partner." Also
interested in the Expos is VT business exec Ray Pecor, who
"confirmed" yesterday that he would like to become involved
with the team as a minority partner. The Expos' ownership
group will also seek an extension of the March 5 deadline to
buy out Brochu and initiate ballpark plans (GAZETTE, 2/18).
DC KEEPS ONE EYE OPEN: DC Mayor Anthony Williams, in an
"aggressive effort" to bring an MLB team to the city, "plans
next week to announce his support for a proposal to build" a
$300M ballpark in the city. Anthony's Press Secretary Peggy
Armstrong said that the mayor is looking at "possible
assistance or incentive packages for any investor group
seeking to put a team in the city." DC Sports Commission
member Bill Hall said the stadium plan will be unveiled
Tuesday, and that by doing so, the city "hopes to alert" MLB
that it is a "viable alternative for the Expos." Local real
estate developer Douglas Jemal has emerged so far as the
leading potential investor (WASHINGTON POST, 2/18).
