The image was strong. Stephen Bronfman was in his office downtown trying to find answers for the death of the Sister Cities project with Tampa Bay. We saw an emotional businessman who had just suffered one of the toughest failures of his professional career.
Even if he was criticized from all sides, the project of sister cities was close to his heart. It touched a sensitive chord. He wanted to show his father Charles that he could bring major league baseball back to Montreal.
It was more than just an investment.
He was ready to put hundreds of millions on the table to revive baseball in Montreal. His project was ambitious. Ridiculous for many observers, but it was the most viable option for him and his group. It was plan A, B and C.
An expansion ? At a cost of over $2 billion, Bronfman and his group would not have been able to recoup their investment. Illogical for such savvy businessmen.
After this decision without appeal from Major League Baseball, there is an observation that hurts even more: Montreal is no longer able to have a full-time team. It is now branded with a hot iron. It’s as painful as being hit by a throw.
Slap in the face
In the space of two weeks, Quebec received two slaps in the face from two major professional sports circuits.
The chances of seeing the Nordiques or the Expos again have been dashed. At least, for the next few years. It’s been hard to be “Expositive” since last Thursday.
Those who wanted a little diversity in the Quebec sports landscape will have to be patient. We will not see a major league return to Quebec anytime soon.
Nothing to help the climate of gloom that has set in over the past 22 months due to the pandemic.
Didn’t leave the hostel
Before listening to Bronfman’s press briefing, I listened to that of Stuart Sternberg, the owner of the Tampa Bay Rays.
He was in shock. His non-verbal language spoke very loudly. Major League Baseball’s about-face caught him off guard. No doubt.
He mentioned that he would try again to find a full-time home for his team in the Tampa area. It rang false in his mouth after all his statements during his negotiations with the city of St. Petersburg.
Sternberg will now look to Tampa. If he manages to build a stadium there, will the attendances improve? We can doubt it. Despite making the playoffs for the past three seasons, the Rays have been unable to fill their stands on a regular basis.
Hard to think it would be different in a new stadium. It should not be forgotten that Tampa has always been a stronghold of the New York Yankees for decades. And many retirees would rather watch baseball on television than show up at the stadium.
Sternberg is back to square one and his options aren’t many. He knows very well that the hourglass was turned last week. The future of his concession on Florida soil is more uncertain than ever.
2. Shapo and Felix are more mature
The careers of Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Australian Open are fascinating to follow. They have matured. It shows in their game and their attitude on the pitch. They remain focused on their goal even if they experience lows during their matches. The difference has been striking for a year. They must now acquire one last thing to settle at the top: consistency. If they get it, Canadian tennis is still going through historic moments.
3. Racism is still very present
Photo d’archives, Agence QMI
An American League player was suspended for 30 games for a racist gesture against the Quebecer Bokondji Imam. It’s been twice in as many years that the latter has been the victim of racism on an ice rink on this circuit. We will wish him that this is the last time. On the other hand, we must tip our hats to the leaders of the AHL who took the incident seriously and made the right decision. They must hope that this suspension makes the other players think. It is a step in the right direction.
4. Hughes has several hot files
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
I liked the first impression of Kent Hughes at his first press conference. His answers were interesting. He avoided making promises he couldn’t keep in the short term. Hughes will have to be ingenious to get the Canadian out of the NHL’s slums. His first mission will be to clean up the heavy contracts awarded during the Bergevin era. He has to find a way to give himself some leeway. At the moment, his hands are tied with several players. The reconstruction will start there.
5. Gane has nothing to be ashamed of
In the UFC, the fight between Francis Ngannou and Cyril Gane did not qualify for explosive exchanges as expected. It was more like a game of chess between these two giants. Ngannou beat Gane on his home turf and he deserves the heavyweight title. The Frenchman, who started his mixed martial arts career in Quebec with TKO MMA, lacked experience at times. However, he does not have to be ashamed of his performance. He fought well under the circumstances. In his case, the best is yet to come.
