This article was originally posted on SportsNet.Canada on 09/06/02


Portland: Home of the Expos?

With the threat of MLB contraction at rest for at least another four years, the question still remains, will the Expos stay in Montreal or will they go?


So how do the Portland Expos sound to you?

Baseball sources have told Sportsnet there is a possibility that the beleaguered Montreal franchise could be sold to computer guru Paul Allen and could be moving to Portland in time for next season.

"Negotiations are taking place right now," a source said. "Don't be surprised if it happens because the owners really want the Expos out of Montreal."

Small wonder. The Expos this year have been jointly owned by the owners of the other major league franchises. And the truth is, they don't exactly like paying the bills to keep the Expos in Montreal.

The new labour agreement between the owners and the players includes a clause that rules out contraction for at least four years, so the Expos were given a stay of execution. The question is: do they stay in Montreal or not?

Until now, there was speculation that the Expos might get to live for another year in Montreal or would be sold to interests in the Washington, D.C. area. But the sudden emergence of Allen as a possible owner of the Expos in Portland changes the story considerably.

"Let's put it this way," a source said. "If Paul Allen wants the Expos, and he wants to put them in Portland, it'll happen. No ifs, ands or buts about it."