Baseball owners set to OK Expos move

ASSOCIATED PRESS
The proposed move of the Montreal Expos to Washington is set to be approved when baseball owners meet today in Chicago.
Originally, owners also were to vote on the $223 million sale of the Milwaukee Brewers from the family of commissioner Bud Selig to Mark Attanasio. But the commissioner's office has not finished processing the transaction, making it likely approval will be delayed for several weeks.
Selig announced the intended move of the Expos on Sept. 29, but the agreement was subject to ratification by baseball owners and the District of Columbia government putting funding in place for a new ball park.
While the agreement estimates the ballpark cost at $435 million, some District of Columbia Council members have claimed it would be far higher, perhaps $600 million or more. Council Chair Linda Cropp postponed a Nov. 9 vote on the deal, saying the District should spent two weeks seeking private financing.
A change in the terms would require agreement from the Expos, which appears unlikely. The commissioner's office probably will rename the franchise later this month, with the Washington Nationals the leading candidate.