Although league sources said they had originally hoped to have the inquiries gathered by yesterday, Levin said that there is no firm deadline for applications and that inquiries continue to be received.
Several bidders said they have received applications, which included very detailed questions about the partners in their groups, their financial worth and how they plan to finance the purchase of the Expos.
Former Reds general manager Jim Bowden, left, meets with the Cubs' Sammy Sosa in 2002. "He'd do a good job in that situation," says one associate.
(Al Behrman -- AP)
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"It's a little lengthy," said Jerry Burkot, a spokesman for the William Collins-led Virginia Baseball Club, which tried unsuccessfully to lure the Expos to Northern Virginia. "We've looked at the [stadium] deal, and we have looked at pursuing it and most likely we will."
The applications must be accompanied by a $100,000 deposit, a portion of which is refundable depending on whether the applicant bids for the Expos and how much the applicant bids.
The Washington Baseball Club, led by businessmen Jeffrey D. Zients and Fred Malek, also has received an application.
"We have clearly expressed our interest in bidding on the team to baseball and have received the necessary applicant information," said Malek. "We're actively working on it and we will submit our application in the near future."
Other would-be owners who have expressed interest in buying the Expos include a group led by former New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson, a group led by Memphis businessman and Howard University graduate Brian Saulsberry and a syndicate headed by New York real estate developer Mark Broxmeyer. Former Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks President Stan Kasten is also interested in leading or joining an ownership group.
Baseball's 29 owners collectively purchased the Expos in February 2002 for $120 million, and the team has lost millions since. The league is anxious to unload to the Expos. The league hopes to have an owner selected by the new year at a price of at least $300 million.
Staff writer Dave Sheinin and researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.
