It’s tough to quantify a city’s love for their sports franchise, but it’s been 20 years since Montreal’s beloved Expos relocated to Washington, DC to become the Washington Nationals, and fans still want answers.
Who Killed the Montreal Expos? takes a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial decisions, setbacks, and missteps that sealed the team’s fate. Directed by Jean-François Poisson, produced by Stéphanie Thibault, and executive produced by Richard Speer, Marie-Christine Pouliot, and Nick Trotta, the film examines the shocking disintegration of the beloved Montreal Expos, a loss that still reverberates today.
That’s largely what pushed Poisson to make the film. He tells Netflix, “It was definitely more than just baseball in Montreal; it was a cultural phenomenon. Even people who weren’t familiar with the game were Expos fans. The logo was, and still is, everywhere. It was a source of pride to be the first to have an MLB team outside the United States. It put Quebec on the map in terms of professional sports. This is one of the reasons why their sudden departure was so difficult. There was a feeling of failure, a touch of shame, but above all, a lack of understanding among Quebec fans.”
On Sept. 29, 2004, the Montreal Expos played their final home game before a grieving crowd at Olympic Stadium.
For 35 years, the Expos had been more than a ballclub — they were the first Major League Baseball team to call Canada home and became part of Montreal’s heartbeat, a symbol of pride and identity for Québécois. Generations grew up with the Expos, celebrating their triumphs and enduring their struggles. That final game marked the end of an era, and for many, the loss of a piece of themselves.
Two decades later, the heartbreak remains, and the same question haunts the city that once dreamed in Expos blue: Who’s to blame?
“Quebecers, in general, tend to blame the Americans,” says Poisson. “But it’s much more complicated than that. Here’s what I can say: The Expos’ departure is definitely not the responsibility of one person alone. We were surprised to discover the different versions of the story. Viewers will have fun trying to find out ‘who played whom?’ ”
Pedro Martinez
Vladimir Guerrero
Through candid interviews with Hall of Famers who played for the Expos, along with former staff, journalists, and die-hard fans who lived through it all, Who Killed the Montreal Expos? investigates the devastating loss of one of the game’s most cherished franchises.
Featuring rare archival footage and flashbacks of the Expos’ greatest moments, the documentary is equal parts sports drama, cultural love story, and gripping whodunit, unraveling the enduring mystery of how it all came to an end.
The documentary is now streaming on Netflix.
Larry Walker
Felipe Alou
Who Killed the Montreal Expos? features interviews with:
