New York City Relocation - Rumours Continue to Fly

[philip-whiskeyjacks]

Only one thing is for certain - the Empires will be leaving New York City in 2110.  Or is even that "fact" a sure thing?

Rumours abound regarding the fate of the NYC Empires franchise.  Ownership has received attractive bids from Guadalajara, México, Vancouver, Québec, Montréal, and Calgary in Canada and Kansas City, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Boston in the United States.  And sources in the know say that there may be a darkhorse candidate in the wings.

Ownership is not saying whether a winning bid has been chosen, but has stated that no announcement will come until the WBA Championship has been decided.  The Empires' cagey owner is quoted as saying, "We don't want to steal their thunder.  We'll announce when the season is truly over - and when we're ready."

[Bob_Meteors]

Ooh intrigue. Would love to see a good Canadian team. As the owner of Montreal and Rimouski in two other leagues, have to say I am rooting for Quebec or Montreal.

[philip-whiskeyjacks]

In response to questions about the possibility of a Canadian team, ownership had this to say, "Our friends to the North have presented a strong case - particularly Québec City though Montréal was not far behind.  But then again, we really were impressed with the warmth and professionalism of the delegation from Guadalajara and the strong case made by Kansas City and San Francisco.  But we have not ruled anyone out at this point.  For now, we look forward to watching the conclusion of the Championship.  After all, we are also just fans of the game."

[philip-whiskeyjacks]

Reporters approached management of the New York City Empires and asked, since the season has drawn to a close, whether the organization was any closer to an announcement concerning relocation of the franchise?

A well-placed source in the Empires' franchise had only this to say, "We are close.  Very close.  I will say that Boston, San Francisco and Guadalajara have been eliminated from consideration - though our hat is off to the people of all those fine cities.  Their representatives made it a difficult decision."

Speculation is running rampant that Kansas City will be chosen due to it being the hometown of the owner.

[philip-whiskeyjacks]

To reporters following up on the relocation saga NYC Empires management had this to say,

"We have narrowed down the field by two more bids.  We thank the people of St. Louis and Calgary for their deep interest and excellent bids, but we have decided not to go to either city with our ML franchise."

This leaves Vancouver, Québec, Montréal, and Kansas City still in the running.  Some reporters have begun to cite "unnamed sources" who have hinted that there is perhaps a darkhorse, late-inning bid also being considered.  We'll all know soon enough. 

[Huckleberry]

I'm thinking Montreal wins. Inside WBA sources and such.

Or maybe I'm just hoping someone finally brings a baseball championship to Montreal.

FYI for those curious, I don't actually have any inside info on this one. Waiting along with everyone else.

[claphamsa]

bring back le nordique!

[APMP]

Would be pretty neat if the classic Les Expos unis came to the WBA.