THE WASHINGTON TIMES
With Monday’s deadline approaching for prospective bidders to file expressions of interest in the Washington franchise with Major League Baseball, the paperwork process alone could bring MLB a nice chunk of change.
Those filing are being asked to submit a $100,000 fee. MLB President and Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy said as of last week, “more than 10 and fewer than two dozen expressions of interest” have been filed, although it is unclear whether all parties have submitted the required fee.
MLB officials have told interested parties a minimum bid will be set for the relocated Expos. If a prospective buyer submits a bid at the minimum amount or more, he will receive $75,000 back. If he fails to meet the minimum, only $50,000 will be returned, sources close to the process said.
So far reported parties interested in the relocated Expos have included the Washington Baseball Club, led by Fred Malek; New York real estate developer Mark Broxmeyer; and DSG Baseball of Nashville, Tenn., led by Brian Saulsberry, a Howard University graduate and general partner of the DSG Investment Fund.
Bill Collins, chairman of the Virginia Baseball Club that sought to have the franchise located in Northern Virginia, has said his group is examining the possibility of joining the bidding. There also have been reports Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson has been putting together an ownership group. Former Atlanta Braves president Stan Kasten’s name has surfaced as a possible bidder, and there has been speculation Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder also might have renewed interest in baseball.
The franchise is currently owned by the existing 29 major league owners, who purchased it three years ago for $120million from Jeffrey Loria. MLB is believed to be seeking around $400million for the Washington franchise, which was worth an estimated $108million in Montreal.
— Thom Loverro
Please read our comment policy before commenting.