Monday, May 03, 2004
Northern Virginia "Optimistic" on Expos Bid
Gabe Paul Jr., executive director of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority, says that by enlisting the support of local developers, the Authority hopes to reduce the cost of the stadium project from its current estimate of $400-$430 million. In addition, the Authority has restructured the commitment prospective owner William Collins would have to make, reducing the up-front payment in return for higher rent.
MLB President Bob DuPuy told MLB.com's Barry Bloom, "There's still a significant owner contribution, but it's a much better proposal than they've had on the table before." Bloom also says that Puerto Rico is officially out of the running as a permanent home for the Expos: the final six candidates are Washington; northern Virginia; Norfolk; Las Vegas; Portland; and Monterrey, Mexico. The Relocation Committee is expected to meet on May 18, the day before a quarterly owners meeting. DuPuy doesn't think any of the six candidates will be eliminated at that time, but still expects that a city will be chosen by the All-Star break:
"My guess is that it's unlikely that we would announce an elimination of anybody at the meetings. We have a substantive [relocation committee] meeting in connection with the owners' meeting in two weeks. We'll then hone down the list and I'm still hopeful that by the All-Star Game we'll at least have a location decided upon."
|
Gabe Paul Jr., executive director of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority, says that by enlisting the support of local developers, the Authority hopes to reduce the cost of the stadium project from its current estimate of $400-$430 million. In addition, the Authority has restructured the commitment prospective owner William Collins would have to make, reducing the up-front payment in return for higher rent.
MLB President Bob DuPuy told MLB.com's Barry Bloom, "There's still a significant owner contribution, but it's a much better proposal than they've had on the table before." Bloom also says that Puerto Rico is officially out of the running as a permanent home for the Expos: the final six candidates are Washington; northern Virginia; Norfolk; Las Vegas; Portland; and Monterrey, Mexico. The Relocation Committee is expected to meet on May 18, the day before a quarterly owners meeting. DuPuy doesn't think any of the six candidates will be eliminated at that time, but still expects that a city will be chosen by the All-Star break:
"My guess is that it's unlikely that we would announce an elimination of anybody at the meetings. We have a substantive [relocation committee] meeting in connection with the owners' meeting in two weeks. We'll then hone down the list and I'm still hopeful that by the All-Star Game we'll at least have a location decided upon."
|
