Dick Monfort, put down the iPad. It turns out fans don't like you saying things like "maybe Denver doesn't deserve a franchise."


CBS Denver has a series of emails Rockies co-owner and CEO Dick Monfort exchanged with a longtime season-ticket holder last weekend. The fan sent a letter through the team's fan feedback line, complaining about the Monforts' ownership.

The 57-year-old man told CBS4 he did not necessarily expect a reply from the team. But the next day, July 6 at 6:47 p.m., Monfort personally emailed the fan the following: "By the way you talk maybe Denver doesn't deserve a franchise, maybe time for it to find a new home. Thanks." The message was sent from Monfort's iPad and in a phone call with CBS4 Thursday night, Monfort confirmed sending the email. "I sort of remember," said Monfort. "I do remember that. I was rapid firing it."

Though it doesn't take much to read that as a pouty threat to relocate, Monfort tells CBS we're all reading it wrong, that it actually means the opposite of what it says.

He went on to explain that, "What I meant to say was maybe we, the owners, don't deserve a franchise."


It was a rough weekend for Monfort and his fan relations skills. The same day, July 6, that he vaguely threatened the city of Denver, Monfort emailed another fan who had written to complain about the team's direction. The fan had filled out a survey on the team's site after a 9-0 loss on July 4, and actually contributed something to the "additional comments" box.

From KREX-TV:

"I pretty much just filled out the survey and kinda wrote a little bit about how it's frustrating to spend the money and go see [Rockies] teams that are constantly struggling all the time," said Ferguson. Two days later, he found out his comments did not go unnoticed. Ferguson received a reply in his inbox simply stating, "If product and experience that bad don't come!"… signed owner, chairman, and CEO of the Colorado Rockies Dick Monfort.

So Monfort thinks wants fans to stay away from games, and also wonders aloud whether the city has good enough fans to deserve a team? Can't have it both ways, Dick.

[CBS Denver, h/t Ryan]