MLB's ownership committee held a telephone conference call Friday to discuss Expos Managing General Partner Jeffrey Loria's purchase of the Marlins and "unanimously agreed that owners should vote in favor of the deal," according to the AP's Ron Blum. Loria plans to sell the Expos for $120M to a new entity owned by the other 29 MLB teams. MLB will loan Loria $38.5M for the remainder of the Marlins' $158.5M sale price. MLB owners are to consider both deals when they meet February 11, 12 or 13. The date will be selected after the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee decides whether its hearing on baseball's antitrust exemption will be February 12 or 13 (AP, 2/2).
EXPOS: In Toronto, Jeff Blair noted that Expos VP/Development & Stadium Operations Claude Delorme is "leaning toward" staying in Montreal to run the team for its "last, lame-duck season." Delorme said, "I would think you would want to devise a plan that is sympathetic and respectful to the fans, especially season-ticket holders. We're still likely going to have as much as 500,000 coming to baseball here. So there is a visibility for some of the sponsors, like the Casino de Montreal, and there are other sponsors, such as Coca-Cola and Molson, who will be selling their product at the stadium" (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/1). In Montreal, Sean Gordon reported while there is one year remaining on the Expos' radio deal with partner The Team 990, the station "is far from certain" it will carry games in '02. Once source said, "The deal was signed on the basis there would be baseball ... there were provisions if the Expos were contracted. They haven't been yet, but there's been so much uncertainty since last season that (the station) hasn't been able to sell ads or raise other revenues through sponsorships" (GAZETTE, 2/2). In Toronto, Richard Griffin: "Instead of paying him to leave town, why not loan Loria the $38.7[M] to build a new downtown stadium in Montreal and save a 33-year-old franchise? Because it's not part of the master plan. They want a team in Washington and they're going to get it" (TORONTO STAR, 2/3).
FISH TALES: In FL, Joe Capozzi reported that Expos execs are scheduled to arrive in Miami today to begin the transition of operating the Marlins. Expos Exec VP David Samson and incoming Marlins GM Larry Beinfest are to visit Pro Player Stadium and the Marlins' spring training site today. Capozzi added, "Marlins employees fear that part of Samson's visit is to hand out pink slips for more than 50 people who are expected to be replaced by Expos employees" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/2). Capozzi also reported that at least a dozen of the expected-to-be-fired Marlins employees have spoken to attorneys about a possible class-action lawsuit against the team, waiting to see the severance package they are offered. Capozzi: "Such a lawsuit — and the negative press it would bring — is the last thing Loria needs as he prepares to embark on the precarious task of winning public support for a new ballpark" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/3). In FL, Sarah Talalay, noting the $38.5M loan Loria will receive from MLB, wrote, "While it isn't unusual for baseball to lend teams money, the arrangement with Loria helps [John] Henry recoup the cost of the team, signals baseball's interest in folding or moving the Expos and also underscores baseball's commitment to South Florida. While it's certain gaining financing for a new Marlins ballpark is an exceedingly difficult task, baseball must have some hope of that prospect, otherwise it wouldn't pay to buy Loria out of Montreal" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 2/2).
