Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[ericmacm]

Yet another rumour about the Montreal Expos making a return. The rumour comes from 98.5 Montreal FM reporter Jeremy Filosa, who claims that the MLB is looking to start expansion again in 12-18 months, given the Athletic and Rays situations are getting resolved. The rumour states that the MLB has Montreal front of mind, given that baseball will be an Olympic sport for the first time at Paris 2025, and they want a French-language team to establish an international fanbase in France and Europe as a whole.

It still remains pretty unclear who would be involved or where a stadium would be located. The rumour makes it clear that Stade Olympique is a no-go. I would have to guess that it would still be Stephen Bronfman’s group leading the charge, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Tom Brady wanted to be involved given his appearance in an Expos jersey at the MLB Store in NYC yesterday, coincidentally the same day this rumour came out lol.

Rumours are rumours, but there has definitely been a lot of smoke on the Expos file in the last few years, especially with the Ex-Rays debacle from 2021, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it does eventually happen. Besides, the league could use a new relocation threat destination for the other teams (Orioles, Brewers, and Royals) starting to play hardball with their governments over new stadium funding.

[thurmas]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

Yet another rumour about the Montreal Expos making a return. The rumour comes from 98.5 Montreal FM reporter Jeremy Filosa, who claims that the MLB is looking to start expansion again in 12-18 months, given the Athletic and Rays situations are getting resolved. The rumour states that the MLB has Montreal front of mind, given that baseball will be an Olympic sport for the first time at Paris 2025, and they want a French-language team to establish an international fanbase in France and Europe as a whole.

It still remains pretty unclear who would be involved or where a stadium would be located. The rumour makes it clear that Stade Olympique is a no-go. I would have to guess that it would still be Stephen Bronfman’s group leading the charge, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Tom Brady wanted to be involved given his appearance in an Expos jersey at the MLB Store in NYC yesterday, coincidentally the same day this rumour came out lol. There has definitely been a lot of smoke on the Expos file in the last few years, especially with the Ex-Rays debacle from 2021, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it does eventually happen.

I have very hard time seeing this happen between expansion fee and new ballpark would be 3 to 4 billion usd.

[Djeffery]

I still hear the odd story out of Toronto that Bell is on the way out of MLSE and I would have to think they would love to add Montreal baseball to their various media platforms. Maybe not as sole owners but if there is any company that can pull this off, it's Bell.

[thurmas]

This story i think is only out due to mlb playoffs starting today. Kinda like when cfl business news comes out during grey cup week.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

I still hear the odd story out of Toronto that Bell is on the way out of MLSE and I would have to think they would love to add Montreal baseball to their various media platforms. Maybe not as sole owners but if there is any company that can pull this off, it's Bell.

Bell's Expos vs. Rogers' Blue Jays. That'd be cool.

If it happens, I would hope they could move back to Olympic Stadium. The Quebec Government could use that as a negotiation tactic; we'll help fund the renovations of the Big "O", but not a new stadium. Throw in Saputo (MLS can move to the Big "O" or Percival Molson) and the parking lot for an entertainment district.

[ericmacm]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Bell's Expos vs. Rogers' Blue Jays. That'd be cool.

If it happens, I would hope they could move back to Olympic Stadium. The Quebec Government could use that as a negotiation tactic; we'll help fund the renovations of the Big "O", but not a new stadium. Throw in Saputo (MLS can move to the Big "O" or Percival Molson) and the parking lot for an entertainment district.

Maybe when Vancouver starts to be seriously looked at by the MLB, Telus can buy a team too, start a broadcast network, and then we can have Telcoball lol.

Originally Posted by thurmas

I have very hard time seeing this happen between expansion fee and new ballpark would be 3 to 4 billion usd.

I agree, the price is very steep. It would be a huge investment for anyone to make, even if that someone happened to be Bell. However, I do think there is a lot of interest in owning a professional team, given the amount of Canadian groups that were trying to bid on the Ottawa Senators. $1B vs $3-4B is a huge difference but I think that if someone really really wanted to, they would be able to find investors rich enough to make this happen.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Bell's Expos vs. Rogers' Blue Jays. That'd be cool.

If it happens, I would hope they could move back to Olympic Stadium. The Quebec Government could use that as a negotiation tactic; we'll help fund the renovations of the Big "O", but not a new stadium. Throw in Saputo (MLS can move to the Big "O" or Percival Molson) and the parking lot for an entertainment district.

Somehow the Big O needs to be totally gutted and rebuilt into a baseball only configuration of 40k-ish seats, much like Skydome, but also somehow not feel so cavernous inside afterwards. Between that and the work that already needs to happen, a new ballpark is probably cheaper, providing they can find a suitable piece of land. That of course leaves the question of what to do with Olympic Stadium, but I'm not sure MLB is the saviour there.

[thurmas]

for what Montreal will need to spend this is what KC and the Royals and Tampa and the Rays will be building:

https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/08/2...ew-renderings/





https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/09/1...-contribution/



https://ballparkdigest.com/wp-conten...-1536x1024.jpg

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Somehow the Big O needs to be totally gutted and rebuilt into a baseball only configuration of 40k-ish seats, much like Skydome, but also somehow not feel so cavernous inside afterwards. Between that and the work that already needs to happen, a new ballpark is probably cheaper, providing they can find a suitable piece of land. That of course leaves the question of what to do with Olympic Stadium, but I'm not sure MLB is the saviour there.

Gut the thing, and buy auto-stade style bleachers can add back in for an event if want to use it for sports with bridges from the concourse. Otherwise, a huge empty space for random stuff.



I feel like it is the inevitable 'solution' as there isn't a better one that isn't near a billion bucks.

[Dalreg]

If, and it's a HUGE if Montreal were to get a baseball team again, the Big O needs to be blown up to end any type of chance of baseball being played there.

[thurmas]

Big O killed the Expos no owners would go there even with a 1 billion renovation and all the reports indicate big o is a non starter won't even be considered by mlb.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Bell's Expos vs. Rogers' Blue Jays. That'd be cool.

If it happens, I would hope they could move back to Olympic Stadium. The Quebec Government could use that as a negotiation tactic; we'll help fund the renovations of the Big "O", but not a new stadium. Throw in Saputo (MLS can move to the Big "O" or Percival Molson) and the parking lot for an entertainment district.

You can't have baseball and another sport (especially rectilinear) sharing a stadium, nobody wins in that scenario from the past. Gut the place and transform into a baseball only facility.

Actually, during discussions of Labatt Park I was surprised to read that (Bronfman was it?) was entertaining the thought of having the Als play there.

Back to Bell, it would be interesting to see how an MLSE divorce settlement would play out. Argos to Bell, TFC to Rogers, how do they divide up the Jays?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by thurmas

Big O killed the Expos no owners would go there even with a 1 billion renovation and all the reports indicate big o is a non starter won't even be considered by mlb.

What reports, can you please substantiate your generalizations.

[elly63]

To build another stadium at huge expense and still leave the Big O issue unsolved would be unwise. And again we run into the problem of early and late season weather conditions. It should be an all weather stadium and we've already got one (or half of one)

I'm not a big one for minor restorations, IW/THF being a good example of why it would have been a bad idea but the interior of the Big O should be gutted and then they could start over. They say you have cost certainty when building new because you don't run into any wiring or structural issues but in the case of the Big O much of this would be removed as well, I would think.

[thurmas]

i stand corrected it seems it might be considered mlb owners would be the only ones who could help afford to a a reno job that would be north of 1 billion.

https://www.985fm.ca/nouvelles/58203...-espoir-renait

-Is a stadium downtown essential?

"It depends on the city, yes it is certain that the majority of teams want to play close to the city center. But it's not the perfect recipe for all teams, we see that the Braves have left downtown and the complex where they play is fantastic. What baseball tries to avoid is an area where there is only the stadium and nothing else around. We want there to be life around the stadium."

According to our information, plans are already in place at the Olympic Park to revamp the quadrilateral. For some years now, sketches of the 'new park' have been shown to some important and concerned people in the project.

We're talking about new shops, restaurants and sports bars, maybe even a hotel. The Cinéma Star-Cité Montréal could give way to this new field according to what we are told.

-Can the Olympic Stadium still be an option?

"Not in the state it is in now. It was already obsolete 20 years ago when the team left. In addition, Major League Baseball is moving away from stadiums and encouraging its teams to build baseball parks. Location is not an issue, but it would require major changes to the type of infrastructure."

The Olympic Stadium is undergoing major renovations, including the replacement of the roof, the technical ring, the acoustic and lighting system, as well as the bleachers and dressing rooms.

It is still not clear exactly how this work, which has been long overdue for several years, will take place.

-Do you think Montreal will be used to increase offers elsewhere?

"Major League Baseball is going to use each bid to enhance other offerings, that's normal. They will choose the two markets that they believe will offer them the maximum of the conditions requested. I have to admit, though, that being in Canada, in my opinion, could play against Montreal."

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by thurmas

i stand corrected it seems it might be considered mlb owners would be the only ones who could help afford to a a reno job that would be north of 1 billion.

Key Arena (now Climate Pledge Arena) cost 1.15B USD to renovate... in 2021... and that's an arena, not a larger than average stadium. The only way renovating the Big O will cost less than 2B CAD is if they cut a lot of corners and are left with very underwhelming results.

[thurmas]

New Buffalo bills stadium is 1.5 billion but yeah big o would be extremely risky. Someone on Facebook on a montreal expos fan site this past weekend floated the idea and draft of a new ballpark downtown at the molson brewery kinda looked like Camden yards.

[thurmas]

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by elly63

You can't have baseball and another sport (especially rectilinear) sharing a stadium, nobody wins in that scenario from the past. Gut the place and transform into a baseball only facility.

Actually, during discussions of Labatt Park I was surprised to read that (Bronfman was it?) was entertaining the thought of having the Als play there.

Back to Bell, it would be interesting to see how an MLSE divorce settlement would play out. Argos to Bell, TFC to Rogers, how do they divide up the Jays?

The Jays aren't part of MLSE, they are Rogers only. The Argos to Bell makes the most sense since they are the ones that brought the Argos into the fold in the first place (along with Larry) and with TSN's connection to the league. MLSE probably would want to retain control of BMO Field and rather have the Argos pay rent rather than own them as well.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by elly63

You can't have baseball and another sport (especially rectilinear) sharing a stadium, nobody wins in that scenario from the past. Gut the place and transform into a baseball only facility.

Actually, during discussions of Labatt Park I was surprised to read that (Bronfman was it?) was entertaining the thought of having the Als play there.

Back to Bell, it would be interesting to see how an MLSE divorce settlement would play out. Argos to Bell, TFC to Rogers, how do they divide up the Jays?

Point well taken on soccer and baseball not being compatible. Baseball has enough games to justify a purposed built stadium, unlike football or soccer.

MLS to Percival Molson with CFL then.

As for Bell taking the Argos, seems like a bum deal. "Hey, you can have this reject team nobody watches". Best case, Rogers just buys out Bell and that's the end if it.