The Rays "Exploring" Montreal is just the beginning of massive movement.

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Originally Posted by Individual-1

Now nsacpi won't give me **** for wearing an old school Expos hat with my Bravos shirt.

Also funny, is whenever I wear the Expos hat to Suntrust I get casual fans tell me how much they like the hat. I tell them it's a throwback hat and the M stands for Milwaukee. Never fails.

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That’s so funny. I copped an Expos hat a few years ago and I get more comments on it than you’d believe. I usually just apologetically explain that I’m actually a Braves fan with a soft spot for Montreal, unless the commenter happens to be from there, in which case I will happily join in cursing Jeffrey Loria and Bud Selig in Quebecois.

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Originally Posted by jpx7

They’re businesses operated by business-people; I’m certain they’ll figure something out. But it’s not the tax-payers’ problem to solve for them—the tax-payers who are, coincidentally, also the customer-base from whom MLB and the Rays expect to extract profit—and there are much better uses of the commonweal’s collective coffers than subsidizing an already-profitable non-essential corporate-scale business.

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I just can't get too upset about it.

Federal and state governments both subsidize things in this country that are much more ridiculous than a baseball stadium.

If you don't like your city doing so, you are free to move to another city.

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Originally Posted by SJ24

I just can't get too upset about it.

Federal and state governments both subsidize things in this country that are much more ridiculous than a baseball stadium.

If you don't like your city doing so, you are free to move to another city.

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It’s an epidemic across sports—even the city of Missoula spent $6-million in 2003 to build Ogren Park just to keep the Diamondbacks Rookie-Advanced affiliate in Montana’s second-largest city. But hey—at least they built it next to a riverfront park, so fans can literally post up behind the outfield fences and watch the games for free. MLB clubs aren’t providing any sort of community-service return on those tax-dollars, just the opportunity to give them more money as a customer.

https://twitter.com/MikeCormack/stat...69672339202048

I wonder if we could see a mutual divorce between the Rays and Tampa/St. Pete.

This situation could turn toxic and be a very bad look for both. Empty stadium for 8 years?

This was like a bomb going off today.

The Rays are on pace to win 94 games, have been a consistently good team, and are drawing the 2nd lowest number of fans per game in MLB right now.

Why in the world would that organization want to stay? Why would anyone expect them to stay?

That market is an embarrassment to MLB, and they should be doing everything in their power to abandon it.

Yeah Rays need to leave town ASAP. Player's union would never agree to a 50/50 home split. Just move to Montreal or Portland

I can’t even summon the words to describe how much I hate the publicly-funded-stadia horrorshows usually involved in franchise relocation, but Tampa shouldn’t have gotten a team to begin with and shouldn’t have one now.

Crazy thing is Tampa isn't that bad of a place either. Still needs a bunch of development but I liked the area. Should be able to support a franchise.

I think the main issue is the stadium being in St Pete. If the stadium were in Tampa itself there would be higher turnout, but to have to go over the bridge to get to a game, it’s a pain in the ass. The lightning have no problem selling out their games because of the location of their arena in the heart of the city.

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Originally Posted by Enscheff

The Rays are on pace to win 94 games, have been a consistently good team, and are drawing the 2nd lowest number of fans per game in MLB right now.

Why in the world would that organization want to stay? Why would anyone expect them to stay?

That market is an embarrassment to MLB, and they should be doing everything in their power to abandon it.

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I mean...they have a pretty nice park to play in there...so there’s that.

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Originally Posted by TheBravos

I mean...they have a pretty nice park to play in there...so there’s that.

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Seriously, I hope that is sarcasm.

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Originally Posted by AerchAngel

Seriously, I hope that is sarcasm.

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Haha of course....

The entire issue - was posted above- is where they put the stadium. Build on the mainland they’ll pack it out. Hour plus drive each way doesn’t work.
What’s funny is - per the guy I was talking to- is they are jealous of the battery and see our attendance numbers and revenues- so that’s what they want....

Love going to the Trop. But its always so empty every time Im there

I'd have to think even putting a stadium on the NE side of the city would be better than St. Pete.

regular people being in favor of tax payers paying to build a stadium for billionaires so they can be richer is the craziest part of this thread

and the thread started as a crazy dumb idea

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Originally Posted by goldfly

regular people being in favor of tax payers paying to build a stadium for billionaires so they can be richer is the craziest part of this thread

and the thread started as a crazy dumb idea

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It would be one thing if the city owned it and the billionaires were leasing it to use it and such.

But the fact Atlanta basically gifted Arthur Blank MBS and let's his team control every aspect of it is absurd.

yeah, if you get part ownership, i would listen

MBS has a big part of state funds too. not just city.

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Originally Posted by Individual-1

It would be one thing if the city owned it and the billionaires were leasing it to use it and such.

But the fact Atlanta basically gifted Arthur Blank MBS and let's his team control every aspect of it is absurd.

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State of Georgia owns the stadium, I think.

"The stadium is owned by the state government of Georgia through the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, and operated by AMB Group, the parent organization of the Falcons and Atlanta United."