What Doomed The Montreal Expos? The Real Tragic Story Behind Netflix's Latest Documentary

Published 09/30/2025, 12:43 AM EDT

The story of the Montreal Expos' final days is a complex and deeply emotional one, as the team's departure on September 29, 2004, left a lasting void in the heart of the city. For 35 years, the Expos were a cultural touchstone, pioneering Major League Baseball in Canada and becoming a powerful symbol of Québécois identity. The loss remains a source of pain and an enduring mystery: who or what truly caused the team's demise? Now, Netflix is on the verge of revealing the backstory with a new documentary.

The big N's documentary promises to unravel the hidden truth behind what it calls Baseball's Wildest Collapse.

What convinced the director to make Who Killed the Montreal Expos?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The Netflix documentary, Who Killed the Montreal Expos?, is based on the enduring mystery and heartbreak surrounding the departure of the city's cherished Major League Baseball team in 2004. As per the information provided by Tudum, Director Jean-François Poisson felt compelled to make the film because the Expos were far more than a simple sports franchise; they represented a "cultural phenomenon" and a source of pride for all of Quebec, being the first Major League Baseball team outside the United States. Their sudden departure was incredibly difficult for fans, leaving behind a profound feeling of failure, a touch of shame, but above all, a lack of understanding that the documentary aims to finally resolve.  

According to Tudum, the documentary features an impressive array of figures. Key interviewees include Hall of Fame players such as Pedro Martínez, Vladimir Guerrero, and Larry Walker, alongside other celebrated former Expos, namely Felipe Alou (who also served as manager), Dennis Martínez, and Orlando Cabrera. Providing insight into the front-office decisions are former Expos president and owner Claude Brochu and former executive vice president David Samson. Finally, award-winning journalist Tom Verducci offers a critical media perspective on the franchise's final years and eventual move. 

‘Starting 5’ Brings NBA Action Back to Netflix With Fresh Lineups and Storylines in Season 2

With an entourage of carefully crafted moves that led to the final blow to the Montreal Expos.' bone, Netflix may just reveal a reason unknown to most about the team's downfall.

The hidden truth behind the Montreal Expos' end

The Montreal Expos' relocation to Washington, D.C., marked the end of an era for the city's beloved baseball team. After the 1994 strike and subsequent financial struggles, the team was sold, and MLB purchased it to prevent collapse. The Expos played their final games in Montreal before relocating to Washington, D.C., in 2005, becoming the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have since built a new identity, winning the World Series in 2019. The Expos' demise was a result of financial struggles, poor ownership decisions, and the 1994 strike, ultimately leading to their relocation, which led to a collapse of the franchise's viability in Montreal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

According to Netflix Tudum, Quebecers place the blame on “American interests”. According to Quebecers, the team's collapse was not the fault of a single individual, but rather a culmination of intertwined issues that saw a beloved franchise ultimately vanish. By weaving together candid interviews, the film explores the varying accounts of the team's downfall. Releasing on October 21, it will be one of the best sports documentaries as it is based on a profound moment in history.

All About Netflix’s Newest Sports Documentary on the Dallas Cowboys: Release, Cast, Plot, and More

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What do you think about the collapse of one of the biggest basketball franchise-Montreal Expos? Let us know in the comments below.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Soma Mitra

394 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK