Field of Schemes: MLB to D.C. operations: Drop dead

December 15, 2004

MLB to D.C. operations: Drop dead

MLB COO Bob DuPuy has just issued a press statement in response to last night's D.C. council stadium vote. It reads, in full:

"The legislation approved by the District of Columbia City Council last night does not reflect the agreement we signed and relied upon after being invited by District leaders to consider Washington as a home for Major League Baseball. The legislation is inconsistent with our carefully negotiated agreement and is wholly unacceptable to Major League Baseball.

"Because our stadium agreement provides for a December 31, 2004 deadline, we will not entertain offers for permanent relocation of the club until that deadline passes. In the meantime, the club's baseball operations will proceed, but its business and promotional activities will cease until further notice. We thank the fans of Washington, D.C. for their support and enthusiasm, but given the present uncertainty, any ticket purchaser who entrusted us with a deposit may request a refund through the club's ticket office."

Looks like somebody's come to play hardball. Of course, given that MLB really has no other good options for the ex-Expos, it'll be very interesting to see what happens if the council (read: Linda Cropp) calls DuPuy's bluff.

COMMENTS

I guess MLB forget that Mayor Williams is just that, a Mayor, not dictator of DC. There is a City Council who has a say whether over $500 million for a ballpark is a "good" invesmtent for the city.
Posted by: Michael Kim at December 15, 2004 07:38 PM

I really hope the DC council grows some stones and calls the MLB bluff. They really have nothing to lose. The electorate will for the most part be happy if it either falls apart or they get better terms.
Posted by: John P at December 15, 2004 07:41 PM

Typical "gotta get my stuff for the minority community" move by Cropp - she doesnt care about DC or the greater good, she cares about her power in the 'hood. Typical narrow minded NIMBY person, that Cropp.
Posted by: Wilbur Horseman at December 15, 2004 07:50 PM

I wonder which city they will threaten to give the Expos to first if the D.C. Council doesn't give in. Portland still has the ambiguous financing package on the table and outgoing mayor Vera Katz would LOVE to have a MLB franchise as her crowning achievement before the new mayor gets sworn in January.
Posted by: Katt at December 15, 2004 08:34 PM

Hum, Mr deMause? Is contraction back in the picture? http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1947231 Or is that story planted?
Posted by: Olivier at December 15, 2004 09:06 PM

Darren Rovell is an excellent reporter, so I don't suspect him of shilling for MLB. I think Marc Ganis is off-base here, though - MLB can't even start talking about contraction until 2006, it would spawn a raft of lawsuits and union revolt, and the revenue-sharing gains aren't really enough to make it worth MLB's while. I wrote about this for the Village Voice back when contraction was first proposed:
Posted by: Neil at December 15, 2004 09:16 PM

And as for Portland, if Vera Katz really has the ability to pull off a stadium finance deal in the next two weeks, I'd suggest she use her superpowers for something more important, like curing cancer or bringing about world peace.
Posted by: Neil at December 15, 2004 09:18 PM

Viva Las Vegas? Wasn't Oscar Goodman lobbying for a franchise at the winter meetings? Could that be a fallback for the Expos? Or should I stop listening to the voices in my head? (I know: Las Vegas, gambling issues. I don't have any idea if they could work something out, given the right deal.) ==Dwight
Posted by: Dwight Brown at December 15, 2004 10:30 PM

Bring the Expos to Austin, Texas. We've got a great stadium (Dell Diamond). I am sure Nolan Ryan would be a great owner. Democrats again can't recognize a great investment opportunity. It's not a wonder they and Kerry were shelled in the election.
Posted by: Terry at December 15, 2004 10:55 PM

Way to go DC! Call the bluff of MLB! Show what a bunch of grifters that they are. Is it possible that Bud and Igor DuPuy can screw this up any worse? Please excuse my schadenfreude.
Posted by: Ryan at December 15, 2004 11:46 PM

Not cool to bring up Vera's cancer like that, Neil. Watching it drain away her undeniable moxy and energy in person is tough to see... twice no less, as this is the second time she’s had to take on the disease.. The team is going to DC, or back to Montreal. Portland would require realignment and a number of other issues to deal with. The only vote would be an in-principle vote on the finance proposal. The approach here in Portland is, "Let MLB come talk to us, and we'll see where their head is at." All of us know that the only way to really take MLB serious about moving at this late juncture would have to be after the 31st. It's a game of chicken at this stage between MLB and the District.
Posted by: Maury at December 16, 2004 12:44 AM

Ding dong, the witch is dead, which old witch, the wicked witch! Ding dong, the wicked witch is dead!!!! Ban baseball! Bogus sport of drugged up millionaires.
Posted by: Mike at December 16, 2004 03:01 AM

Eep - I hadn't realized Katz was fighting cancer herself, Maury. Sorry to seem insensitive - I was just going for a cheap joke about how difficult it is to arrange stadium financing in two years, let alone two week.
Posted by: Neil at December 16, 2004 09:35 AM

Re: Vegas, the issue isn't gambling but market size - it's just not ready for prime time. Also, Goodman admitted yesterday that he still hasn't had serious talks with anyone about either a site or funds for a stadium, and this after two years of courting the Expos. Vegas is Austin with showgirls, basically, which is enough to get visits from Marlins execs, but isn't likely to land them a big-league baseball team anytime soon.
Posted by: Neil at December 16, 2004 09:38 AM

Montreal is a real longshot at this point. The Toronto Star today had a number of stories on how indiffent the Montreal community is, including one that mentioned almost everything but a few signs and a Youppi! costume have been sold off. Not sure how much of that is tongue-in-cheek. The stadium itself can only negotiate dates in-season for another 2 weeks or so, and has no plans to hold any for the return of the Expos. People in Montreal are acting as though the team is gone, gone, gone. The Star did point out in one column that this sort of "brinksmanship" mirrors the founding of the Expos itself, and so a bit of patience may be required. The team, I would guess, is going to play at least 1-3 seasons in Washington no matter what. Neil, perhaps you should restart the "where will the Expos be" odds.
Posted by: Joel at December 17, 2004 11:11 AM

You can read the star at http://www.waymoresports.com
Posted by: Joel at December 17, 2004 11:12 AM