MLB gives Marlins, city, county deadline

[marlinfan]

Baseball gives Marlins deadline for new stadium plan

Officials want to ensure club moves off list of `strapped teams' that receive millions.

By Sarah Talalay

Staff Writer

Posted May 17 2005

Major League Baseball thinks a deal to finance a $420 million stadium for the Florida Marlins is achievable, even though local and team officials could not win a $60 million tax break from the state they said was crucial to the plan.

But league officials want the team, city of Miami and Miami-Dade County to come up with a full financing plan by June 9 to ensure the Marlins move off the list of teams that receive millions in revenue sharing earmarked for financially strapped teams.

MLB President Bob DuPuy sent a letter last week to Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria expressing the industry's interest in keeping the Marlins in South Florida. However, the letter offered neither a letter of credit nor a $10 million cost overrun guarantee the parties had sought.

"Major League Baseball can not continue to stand back while time passes and the Marlins continue to receive one of the highest amounts of revenue sharing dollars in the industry," DuPuy wrote. On Monday he said Commissioner Bud Selig asked him to monitor the Marlins' quest to finance a stadium.

The stadium-financing plan is short about $45 million -- up from an earlier shortfall of $30 million -- because officials say they expect the cost of property east of the Orange Bowl to exceed expectations. Among the options being considered to fill the gap are:

Asking the state again for the tax break, should Gov. Jeb Bush call a special session on another item not resolved during the Legislative session that ended May 6. Last week, a spokesman for the governor said Bush does not plan to call a special session.

A city or county referendum -- most likely some sort of sales tax increase. The city's next election is in November; the county does not have an election scheduled until August or September 2006.

Increased contributions from each of the three parties, something all have been reluctant to do.

DuPuy reiterated that the Marlins cannot continue to play in Dolphins Stadium long-term; that a new ballpark must have a roof; and that the team would be allowed to change its name to Miami Marlins.

Marlins officials, who declined comment Monday, want a ballpark of their own because they pay rent at Dolphins Stadium and receive only percentages of parking, concessions and signage revenue. The team received roughly $25 million in revenue sharing from large-market teams last season and is projected to receive a similar sum this year. The team has said without a new stadium, it might seek a move out of Florida.

Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess is scheduled to update county commissioners on the project today. Burgess said construction must begin by December for a ballpark to open in 2008, a date the Marlins say is crucial.

"We were dependent on the state to come through," Burgess said. "We're not giving up, but the fact of the matter is we may not have a magic solution by the 9th.

"I hope we come up with some creative solutions."

Miami City Manager Joe Arriola said it's too optimistic to envision a deal by June 9. Last week, city commissioners approved a 90-day extension to the financing plan. "We're working on it," he said.

[omnivore]

I love how Bud Selig and Co., roll around the country extorting cities. What a scam...it's about time for some major company to back a rival baseball league. There is no better time.

[Sec19Row53]

I love how Bud Selig and Co., roll around the country extorting cities. What a scam...it's about time for some major company to back a rival baseball league. There is no better time.

Yep, there sure are a lot of pro ballplayers out there that could stock one, not to mention a "major company" with a spare $50 Billion or so.

[/sarcasm]

[CC97]

I love how Bud Selig and Co., roll around the country extorting cities. What a scam...it's about time for some major company to back a rival baseball league. There is no better time.

Good ole' Jeffrey Loria... where's his show gonna end up next?

[marlinfan]

I love how MLB starts bossing us around yet provides no help.

[CC97]

I love how MLB start bossing us around yet provides no help.

"It happens every Spring"

[marlinfan]

"Major League Baseball can not continue to stand back while time passes and the Marlins continue to receive one of the highest amounts of revenue sharing dollars in the industry," DuPuy wrote. On Monday he said Commissioner Bud Selig asked him to monitor the Marlins' quest to finance a stadium.

They come after the team that's actually spending the revenue sharing money to improve the team and don't go after Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Co.

[Gamingboy]

(Sighs)

[NJTank]

What do you expect when MLB is run by a used car dealer.

[paynomind]

I hope Loria buys a canadian team.

[Mac the Knife]

I love how Bud Selig and Co., roll around the country extorting cities. What a scam...it's about time for some major company to back a rival baseball league. There is no better time.

Yep, there sure are a lot of pro ballplayers out there that could stock one, not to mention a "major company" with a spare $50 Billion or so.

[/sarcasm]

$5B would do it. An 8-city league (say, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Portland and San Jose) with a 5-year plan to get to a point of equal competitiveness.

It'd lose the whole $5B over 5 years, but if it got a foothold in that period of time, particularly if MLB keeps shooting itself in the ass, it could make it.

[pcgd]

I love how Bud Selig and Co., roll around the country extorting cities. What a scam...it's about time for some major company to back a rival baseball league. There is no better time.

Yep, there sure are a lot of pro ballplayers out there that could stock one, not to mention a "major company" with a spare $50 Billion or so.

[/sarcasm]

$5B would do it. An 8-city league (say, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Portland and San Jose) with a 5-year plan to get to a point of equal competitiveness.

It'd lose the whole $5B over 5 years, but if it got a foothold in that period of time, particularly if MLB keeps shooting itself in the ass, it could make it.

That's what the NHL needs.

Baseball's attendence and ratings keep going up and up dispite the steroids scandel and other things. I don't think there should be a rival league. Lets remember the Federal League...of course that was nearly 100 years ago.

[Cujo]

Does this mean if no stadium, we may have the Las Vegas Marlins soon??

[Gamingboy]

I would say they could move to Orlando or Jacksonville, they'd still be the Florida Marlins, but it's looking more and more like it's the state that's the 'problem' (or so the rich billionaires say).

[nutcase]

And don't forget, after next season, they can choose to contract teams.

[Gamingboy]

And don't forget, after next season, they can choose to contract teams.

It won't happen. The Player's Union won't allow it. Because then there'd be alot of players who'd end up either in the minors or out of work if they weren't good enough to be drafted in a "contraction" draft. And if there's one thing the Player's union hates more then anything, it's players losing jobs.

[CC97]

And don't forget, after next season, they can choose to contract teams.

It won't happen. The Player's Union won't allow it. Because then there'd be alot of players who'd end up either in the minors or out of work if they weren't good enough to be drafted in a "contraction" draft. And if there's one thing the Player's union hates more then anything, it's players losing jobs.

If MLB expanded rosters to 27 players instead of 25 it would make up for the jobs lost via contraction, and add an additional six.

With contraction you lose 50 player jobs, expanding the other 28 teams to 27 players adds 56 player jobs.

Don't think it can't happen.

[Gamingboy]

And don't forget, after next season, they can choose to contract teams.

It won't happen. The Player's Union won't allow it. Because then there'd be alot of players who'd end up either in the minors or out of work if they weren't good enough to be drafted in a "contraction" draft. And if there's one thing the Player's union hates more then anything, it's players losing jobs.

If MLB expanded rosters to 27 players instead of 25 it would make up for the jobs lost via contraction, and add an additional six.

With contraction you lose 50 player jobs, expanding the other 28 teams to 27 players adds 56 player jobs.

Don't think it can't happen.

You know, that plan makes TWISTED SENSE!

I still think it won't happen though.

[Brian in Boston]

Contraction isn't going to happen. Miami and Miami-Dade will either pony up the dough to close the funding gap for a new ballpark for the Marlins or Major League Baseball will be setting up shop in Las Vegas, Nevada.

[Mac the Knife]

Yeah, contraction after 2K6 is the more likely scenario: Twins and Marlins, with the Brewers moving back to the AL to even things up at 14-14.