A lot of front office managers came and went before the Expos disappeared, but one in particular hurt the franchise more than anyone else
Who killed the Montreal Expos? Netflix answers the question to what happened to the Canadian MLB franchise
With the Toronto Blue Jays making it to the 2025 World Series, this Netflix documentary about the now defunct Montreal Expos is perfect timing. The documentary is cleverly narrated interviewing fans, former players, coaches and administrators. Many are to blame for the downfall of a MLB team that is dearly missed in Montreal, a city known for its local food dish poutine and for its sports fans, but who is ultimately responsible?
Who killed the Montreal Expos?
If you pay attention to what happened in the 90s, many of those interviewed point their finger at one specific person. It’s true that the MLB strike of 1994-95 didn’t help and was what detonated the fall of the club, but it’s clear that the management at the time didn’t navigate the situation well despite finishing in second place in the NL East in 1992 and 1993.
The fire sale of players after the strike is what ultimately killed the Expos. Other owners and front office personnel came and went, but giving away players after two very successful seasons didn’t make sense. Marquis Grissom was sold to the Braves and Larry Walker sent to the Colorado Rockies, “I didn’t leave, I was forced to go,” The Canadian native said.
The fire sale killed fans’ hope and many stopped being fans. For many of those interviewed, that was the moment the team died. Claude Brochu was the head of the consortium that bought the Expos in 1991 and was the head owner in the 90s during the player strike and the fire sale.
Ultimately Brochu couldn’t find funding, public or private, to build a new stadium and that put a nail in the Expos’ coffin. The documentary explains the lack of support by the Quebec government to finance a new stadium and the bickering amongst the other shareholders. “There was more drama than a high school prom,” one fan explained.
Many people blame the Quebec government while others accuse the American management team led by Jeffrey Loria and David Sampson, who bought the club in 1999. But in the end, it was the lack of leadership and ability to find money that made Claude Brochu look like the main character responsible for killing the Expos.
‘Who Killed the Montreal Expos?’ comes to Netflix at 3am eastern/midnight pacific for those of you who will be up. pic.twitter.com/32EPWDqMf3
— Montreal Expos (@Montreal_Expos) October 21, 2025
Who’s telling the truth?
This documentary highlights the toxic atmosphere in the Expos front office and the lack of leadership. Jeffrey Loria and David Sampson were not familiar with politics and economics north of the border and their decision to fire legendary coach Felipe Alou was just another step in the slow death of the Expos. “Montreal has no hope with going forward,” Pedro Martinez said about Alou getting fired.
The new stadium never arrived and either did any deep-pocketed investors. MLB had to step in 2002 to run the team under guardianship of the other 29 teams. On Sep. 29, 2004 the official announcement was made that the team was going to Washington.
RIP: Montreal Expos 1969-2004 “What killed the Expos was (lack of) money”
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