Several in hunt to buy Expos

MONTREAL — Former Major League Baseball officials, real estate developers and cable television excutives are expected to be among a large field of bidders for the Montreal Expos.

Major League Baseball yesterday awarded the Expos to Washington, and baseball sources say the league will sell the club through an auction process.

The team then would be sold to the highest bidder with whom league officials — primarily commissioner Bud Selig — are comfortable.

Selig will have a growing field of suitors from whom to choose.

Former Atlanta Braves president Stan Kasten reportedly has put together an investment group to bid on the Expos. Cablevision boss Charles Dolan, unsuccessful three years ago in his attempt to buy the Boston Red Sox, also is expected to bid.

The Washington Baseball Club, a local group led by financier Fred Malek, has spent several million dollars to return baseball to the District. The group holds an agreement with the city that gives it the exclusive right to operate a baseball team at RFK Stadium and at the proposed ballpark on the Anacostia waterfront when it is completed.

However, the league is not bound by the agreement.

The group has so far concentrated on getting the club relocated to the District, but is now preparing to make its case to own the team.

“When the time is appropriate and the attention turns to ownership groups, we will put our best foot forward,” said Winston Lord, the group’s executive director.

Mark Broxmeyer, a Long Island real estate developer with strong political connections, already has declared his intention to bid on the Expos.

“Baseball will be looking for the best price available,” he said.

Still, other groups are also expected to enter the bidding.

The price of the club is expected to soar in auction because of the attractive ballpark deal the District has offered propective owners.

The club is worth about $108million in Montreal, according to Forbes Magazine. However, the franchise is expected to go for much more — as high as $300million — now that it has been awarded to Washington.

However, the process that determines who will own the Expos likely will be lengthy, one that could extend the league’s ownership of the club into the 2005 season.

Story Continues →