American City Business Journals
Editorial in the Business Journal of Portland

July 16, 1999
by Lynn Lashbrook

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After reviewing the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, the Portland Baseball Group wishes to express its concern with the following issues:

The Portland Baseball Group has sensed no enthusiasm for replacing the Portland Rockies with anything short of Major League Baseball. In fact, a recent Oregonlive poll reported only 13.5% of respondents supported handing over Civic Stadium to the Glickman Group for Triple-A baseball and A league soccer. Portland is a major league community in all aspects of its culture and does not need another minor league stopover. Our research and conversations with top consultants in Major League Baseball directly refute the City's view that Triple-A baseball is a necessary first step in attracting Major League Baseball.

These consultants unanimously agree that the existing Civic Stadium location is a uniquely well-positioned site for a rejuvenated Major League Baseball ballpark that could duplicate and even surpass the success of the new urban, pedestrian-oriented facilities. In addition, with the encouragement of these consultants, we remain convinced that the concerns of the adjacent neighborhoods can be successfully addressed.

Even without the City's support, Portland has climbed to second on the list of potential relocation sites for the Montreal Expos, according to Richard Justice, the Washington Post's national baseball writer. "One owner told me recently, 'Why don't you guys mention Portland? That city has a lot going for it." Portland definitely is in the mix for the Expos," wrote Justice on July 6. The city listed ahead of Portland is Charlotte, which already has three major professional sports teams in the area and is struggling to build a new arena for the Hornets. Portland (the largest city in the country without two major pro teams) outranks Charlotte in terms of population, television market and 1999 income.

The Portland Baseball Group feels that it is essential for the City to hire a top consultant team to aid in the pursuit of a Major League ballclub. Taking this step will not only confirm the City's support for attracting MLB, it will send baseball a resounding message: Portland (its citizens and its government) is deeply committed to having Major League Baseball in the Rose City. Among the three parties involved in a potential relocation, (MLB, the relocating team and the City of Portland) the City inexplicably seems to be the only party missing from the equation.

Lastly, the Portland Baseball Group would like to announce its intentions for the remainder of this summer. In preparation for the highly probable relocation of at least one team in the next year, the group has established an office in Beaverton and is staffed with 20 interns dedicated to assisting the City in their efforts to bring MLB to Portland. A website and an 800 number (877-MLB-TEAM) have been set-up as part of an extensive effort to identify individuals and businesses that would be interested in ticket packages if Portland were to obtain a team. We will also be canvassing the city, the surrounding area and the entire state to garner support for Major League Baseball in Portland. It has become increasingly clear that with a strong demonstration of fan support, the City of Portland will be forced to realize it is a leading candidate for the relocation of a Major League Baseball franchise.