November 15, 200421 yr Arbitrators Clear Way for Expos to D.C. RONALD BLUM Associated Press NEW YORK - Arbitrators ruled Monday against the former limited partners of the Montreal Expos in their case against former controlling owner Jeffrey Loria, clearing Major League Baseball to move the franchise to Washington. Jeffrey Kessler, the lawyer for the limited partners, said they will drop their attempt to gain an injunction to block the move. Baseball owners are scheduled to vote on the relocation Thursday when they meet in Chicago. The deal, subject to the District of Columbia approving financing for a new ballpark by Dec. 31, would be the first move of a major league baseball franchise since the expansion Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers after the 1971 season. In a suit filed in July 2002, the 14 limited partners accused Loria, baseball commissioner Bud Selig and several others of violating federal racketeering laws, mail fraud and wire fraud in an attempt to eliminate the Expos, saying their 76 percent share of the Expos became a 6-to-7 percent stake in the Marlins. Four months later, the suit was put on hold by a federal judge, who told the limited partners to take their case to arbitration first. Still, the judge reserved the right to block a move, and a hearing was scheduled for Dec. 6 in Miami. "We are obviously very disappointed with the decision," Kessler said. "Frankly, we're more disappointed for the fans of the Montreal Expos than we are for ourselves. We thought we were right but the arbitrators disagreed, and this appears to be the end of the road. I don't think we are going to have a basis for continuing to proceed." Loria sold the Expos to the other 29 teams before the 2002 season and purchased the Marlins from John Henry, who headed the group that bought the Boston Red Sox. ---------------------------- ADDITIONAL ARTICLE ----------------------------- Ruling clears Expos move to Washington 11/15/2004, 6:25 p.m. ET By RONALD BLUM The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) ? Arbitrators ruled Monday against the former limited partners of the Montreal Expos in their case against former controlling owner Jeffrey Loria, clearing Major League Baseball to move the franchise to Washington. Advertisement E-Mail: Jeffrey Kessler, the lawyer for the limited partners, said they will drop their attempt to gain an injunction to block the move. Baseball owners are scheduled to vote on the relocation Thursday when they meet in Chicago. The deal, subject to the District of Columbia approving financing for a new ballpark by Dec. 31, would be the first move of a major league baseball franchise since the expansion Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers after the 1971 season. In a suit filed in July 2002, the 14 limited partners accused Loria, Marlins president David Samson, baseball commissioner Bud Selig and several others of violating federal racketeering laws, mail fraud and wire fraud in an attempt to eliminate the Expos, saying their 76 percent share of the Expos became a 6-to-7 percent stake in the Marlins. Four months later, the suit was put on hold by a federal judge, who told the limited partners to take their case to arbitration first. Still, the judge reserved the right to block a move, and a hearing was scheduled for Dec. 6 in Miami. Arbitrators John Byrne, Paul Friedland and John Wilkinson ruled against the limited partners in a unanimous opinion. "We are obviously very disappointed with the decision," Kessler said. "Frankly, we're more disappointed for the fans of the Montreal Expos than we are for ourselves. We thought we were right but the arbitrators disagreed, and this appears to be the end of the road. I don't think we are going to have a basis for continuing to proceed." Loria sold the Expos to the other 29 teams before the 2002 season and purchased the Marlins from John Henry, who headed the group that bought the Boston Red Sox. "This is a total and complete victory," Marlins lawyer Bradley Ruskin said. "The arbitration panel rejected each and every claim and allegation that was made against Mr. Loria and Mr. Samson by the limited partners and rejected it 100 percent, so we couldn't be happier." Selig was angry that he and the commissioner's office were included in the suit. "This was merely a partnership dispute, and that attempts to include this office and the commissioner were particularly malicious and frivolous," said Tom Ostertag, general counsel in the commissioner's office.
November 15, 200421 yr Awesome news...I guess they should have accepted Loria's 15 million dollars to go away according to that one Expo fan a while back. I know it isn't final, but it sounds like it is over.
November 15, 200421 yr Author This is only the first step down a long road that will eventually allow the Marlins to offer a more realistic financing plan for a new stadium, which I still have reason to believe will not be at the Orange Bowl site.
November 15, 200421 yr which I still have reason to believe will not be at the Orange Bowl site. 615007[/snapback] I have heard similar things. Dade County may consider ponying up the money for an upgrade if they can't get a redevelopment plan for the surrounding area in place soon enough.
November 15, 200421 yr So where the hell will the park be? 615018[/snapback] Somewhere with better access...
November 15, 200421 yr So where the hell will the park be? 615018[/snapback] Somewhere with better access... 615020[/snapback] Possibly. I don't have a clue where, all I have heard are murmors on the OB's problems and Alvarez going along with another, better location.
November 15, 200421 yr This is only the first step down a long road that will eventually allow the Marlins to offer a more realistic financing plan for a new stadium, which I still have reason to believe will not be at the Orange Bowl site. 615007[/snapback] I hope you're right, because I can't be driving 4 hours total to and from the new stadium 41+ times a year.
November 15, 200421 yr Would it have to be in the Miami area? Or will they consider somewhere in the suburbs? To bad they never built it around the Miramar area I would be a stones throw away from the park.
November 15, 200421 yr It is indeed over. The last hope of Expos fans is now completely dead. Enjoy baseball, I know I've watched my last ever MLB game.
November 15, 200421 yr It is indeed over. The last hope of Expos fans is now completely dead. Enjoy baseball, I know I've watched my last ever MLB game. 615064[/snapback] Look to the southwest... *cough* Toronto *cough* :thumbup
November 15, 200421 yr Have you heard anything about this "better site", Cape? 615081[/snapback] only that Dade County would have to pony up for it. I personally think the Orange Bowl site is the best fit, but they may have a better site in George Burgess' office.
November 15, 200421 yr But the PPS plan would leave the city out. I think we may see it be in the city, but in a different location a bit north.
November 15, 200421 yr Do YOU have any ideas, Cape? 615090[/snapback] PPS area :whistle 615091[/snapback] :plain
November 15, 200421 yr The Orange Bowl idea is really the only one I think can fly with all 3 parties getting it to work. It is very central if you look from extreme South Dade to Palm Beach in the north.
November 15, 200421 yr But the PPS plan would leave the city out. I think we may see it be in the city, but in a different location a bit north. 615095[/snapback] Isn't that hostile territory? Because it seems like it. :blink: :confused :plain Don't forget we'd be even more in the airport's flight path. Shea Stadium South noise wise. :plain
November 15, 200421 yr Guys.. just get used to this: The Iowa Marlins Just try to prepare yourself for it when it ultimately does happen. Marlin fishing is big up here.. so the Marlins would fit in nicely. :mischief
November 15, 200421 yr Don't forget we'd be even more in the airport's flight path. Shea Stadium South noise wise. :plain 615112[/snapback] Extra entertainment for fans... :lol
November 15, 200421 yr Don't forget we'd be even more in the airport's flight path. Shea Stadium South noise wise. :plain 615112[/snapback] Extra entertainment for fans... :lol 615118[/snapback] :plain Len: Well Tommy, Mike Lowell has his........... *plane flies over* *45 seconds later* Len: ............3 outs, I'll get to my thought after the break. *commercial break over* Len: Let me finish my thought now, Mike Lowell............ *plane flies over* *45 seconds later* Len: Mike Lowell........ *plane flies over* :plain
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