In another sign that makes it look more unlikely that Northern Virginia is going to snag the Montreal Expos baseball franchise, officials in Loudon County said that although they can shell out millions to get a baseball stadium built, “they cannot put a dollar amount on the benefits Loudoun would receive in return,” the Post reports.

While many people want baseball, any potential financial benefits have come into questioned. From the Post:

Academic experts who study the impact of stadiums on communities said proponents of public investments — whether via government grants, tax pass-through arrangements or other special tax agreements — dramatically overstate the payback residents can count on from big-time sports complexes.

Just last week, baseball officials met with District officials for 12 hours at a Georgetown law firm to go over logistics of bringing the Expos to D.C. Baseball officials met with Virigina officials for just 2 1/2 hours, the Post reported.

Many baseball supporters in the District want to secure the Expos before a new D.C. City Council takes office. Newcomers (like Marion Barry) who booted incumbents from the council have been questioning the worth of a public-financed stadium in the District.

If Virginia happened to snag the Expos, would you drive out to Dulles to sit in the stands?