fauowls44

As we all know in Florida college football is king . I thought it would be interesting to ranks Florida's football programs since it seems several colleges and universities are emerging onto the national scene while some of the old guard is declining 1. University of Florida ...I think it goes with out saying even though they are young and their defense still concerns me they are still the best 2. University of South Florida .....while the win against Auburn is diminished still they are a top 20-25 team 3. University of Central Florida ...amazing effort , new stadium , they like usf are on the rise i think they are a fringe top 25 team 4A Florida State University ....they are a program in decline I hate too say it because as much as I root for Gators i have always respected Bobby Bowden it seems like it might be time for the program to move in a different direction and bring in a fresh voice 4B Miami ....much like FSU a program thats seems rooted in the past currently they are an average team it is too early to say whether Shannon will work out or not and as much as people hype up their recruiting i still think they are several years away . 5. FAU....marginally better than FIU, i dont see how they are going to break into the top elechon in the state based out of Boca 6.FIU...all the elements are there but it will take a while Future prediction UCF and USF will continue to gain strength in the state while FSU will continue to flounder(by fsu standards) with Bowden at the helm Not that I don't agree with the place in your rankings, but FAU is only marginally better than FIU and can't get into the upper echelon in Boca?? Look at the history of on field performance by both teams. FAU has won significantly more games, are 4-1 all time against FIU, made the I-AA playoffs in our 3rd season and finished ranked 4th in the nation that season(2003), became the fastest team in history to defeat a I-A opponent(MTSU), beat Hawaii at Hawaii, finished 3rd in the Sun Belt last year in our 1st official year in the conference, just became the first Sun Belt school to beat a Big 10 team(Minnesota)....I could go on. We will be fine based out of Boca, as soon as we get our on campus stadium(which should be approved by our Board this Tuesday). I think it will be easier to make the leap in Boca than it will be for FIU in Miami. We aren't right in UM's shadow. Plus we can recruit those kids from Miami that want to stay in state, but want to go away from home.

Now after this game we can hear the Dolphins cry about the exposed infield dirt and how it got into the eyes of Trent Green causing the four interceptions. shut up, seriously Can't take a joke? Come on. There is no point to being upset about the Dolphins losing. I used to get upset too...now I just accept it. They are terrible. The Dolphins organization has let me down for 7 years now. They stood by watching this team make the same mistakes over and over again and try to cover it up with band aids like back up/aging/injured QBs and 2nd string O-linemen. They continue to talk about what an elite defense they have despite watching it fold time and time again in big spots. When was the last time they have ever made a big play when the game is on the line? A big 3rd down stop? A game changing turnover? Losing a bunch of games is the only way for this team to get better. They need to rebuild, and not the sort of kind of rebuilding they have tried to do for the last few years. Go all the way with it. Start Beck. This offseason, trade Thomas, Taylor, Chambers, basically any veteran with any type of trade value for more draft picks. I'm so tired of watching old, medicore players on the field for the Dolphins. Put the rookies in, i'd rather watch them lose while getting experience than the status quo.

Now that is balls. Cam Cameron might be nuts, but at least he's not boring. The Anti-Saban/Wanny.

http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/230903.html MARLINS Momentum for ballpark gaining among politicians Miami-Dade politicians may be leaning toward giving the Florida Marlins the money they say they need to build a new stadium. Posted on Sun, Sep. 09, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email BY CHARLES RABIN crabin@MiamiHerald.com Related Content Florida Marlins stories, box scores and online extras Marlins down and close to out The time may be nearing for the Florida Marlins to say whether they will accept the Orange Bowl site as their future home. That's because the elusive chunk of money that has stalled the team's hopes for a new state-of-the-art ballpark in Miami may finally be within reach -- and for that, team brass can thank the University of Miami. When UM decided to abandon the Orange Bowl at the end of this season for nicer digs at North Dade's Dolphin Stadium, it freed up $85 million that the city of Miami planned to use to renovate the decaying Little Havana landmark. The Marlins, as has been their strategy for the past year, refused comment. Miami City Manager Pete Hernandez said team owner Jeffrey Loria indicated he was ''open-minded'' about the Orange Bowl site. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro said Loria had told him the property was ``acceptable.'' Most of the money, some $50 million, came from Miami-Dade County bond money; the rest, $35 million in tourist bed tax dollars, belongs to the city of Miami. Though the ultimate decision of how to spend the $85 million will be decided by city and county commissioners, influential administrators and elected officials in both Miami-Dade governments said recently they had no problem targeting it to help the financially struggling franchise build a ballpark. SUPPORT OF OFFICIALS Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, who campaigned in part on a build-the-Marlins-a-park platform, and Commissioner Jose ''Pepe'' Diaz, who is a co-chairman of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, said they would like to see the money sent the Marlins' way. ''The mayor is supportive but understands it must go through the process,'' said Alvarez spokeswoman Victoria Mallette. Said Diaz: ``That money was specified for the Orange Bowl. . . . Let's just say the stars are all aligned.'' Hernandez, the Miami city manager, said redirecting money to a stadium for the Marlins is ``as simple as commissioners voting on it.'' Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said he was unwilling to negotiate through the media, but added that it's common knowledge he's been fighting for a stadium since he got elected. All he would allow is that UM leaving the Orange Bowl ``puts the money in play.'' At least two commissioners, Marc Sarnoff and Tomas Regalado, said they support the move. Another, Joe Sanchez, said he's considering it. ''I've not been briefed, but I'm not resistant to it. My biggest concern [at the Orange Bowl] is parking and public transportation,'' Sarnoff said. Officials' support for the Orange Bowl site came in the same week Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig met with some of them for the first time, checking the pulse, he said, on how committed the leadership was to helping the Marlins build a ballpark. The commissioner wouldn't discuss a site or financing. Selig also met with Loria, though the team remained quiet about what was said. THE PLANS IN PLAY The most recent financing plan for a ballpark was provided by County Manager George Burgess in February. He proposed building a 37,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium with 60 suites for $490 million, on property in downtown Miami adjacent to Government Center. That breakdown had the Marlins spending $45 million out-of-pocket, and the team paying the debt on a $162 million county bond through rent. The county was going to put in $145 million in bond money, and Miami was to spend $108 million mostly through tourist taxes. That left a $30 million gap, which has since risen to $40 million and could increase more with delays. Even if construction were to begin soon, it's not likely the team could play in a new stadium before 2011. Even though the $85 million in city and county funding would more than cover the funding gap, the plan depends on the Marlins making a $207 million contribution -- an amount they have not said they will match if the team is offered a stadium at the Orange Bowl. Burgess has said the Orange Bowl property would be less costly and complicated to build on than downtown Miami because most of the infrastructure is already in place. He said that if the Marlins hope to have a place to play in Miami after its lease expires in 2010, then a deal needs to be completed by the end of this year. Loria's argument for using public money for a new stadium has consistently been that he inherited a terrible lease at the H. Wayne Huizenga-owned Dolphin Stadium from the ball club's previous owner. The team gets few revenues from sources like concessions, parking and suite sales. With a new stadium and dozens of skyboxes, the Marlins, which have the lowest payroll in the majors and the lowest attendance in the National League, believes it can turn things around. PREVIOUS FAILURES Five times team officials have gone to the Legislature seeking a tax break that would fulfill a funding gap; five times they've failed. At least twice -- once in 2000 at Bicentennial Park, and again in 2001 along the Miami River -- plans of an agreement between the city, county and the team to acquire land and build a stadium were announced, then failed. Miami Herald sports writer Barry Jackson contributed to this report.

I can't believe how bad the UL defense has looked tonight. I watched MTSU play in person against FAU last week, and their offense couldn't move the ball against us. They scored a TD on a broken play and that was it. The Owls held them to 18 yards rushing. FAU has a very good defense this year, but MTSU's offense isn't this dynamic. UL is just standing around. I guess they figure that offense will bail them out...which it probably will. Anyway, good showing so far for the Sun Belt!

10. And most importantly with 3 groundball pitchers on the staff - Somehow, someway improve the IF defense. Look to move Uggla and Jacobs and replace them with ++ defenders. Keep Cabrera thin and hope Hanley makes the expected progress on defense and stops with the mental errors. I also agree with this. But not necessarily for the aforementioned reasons. I think, if the Marlins are serious about winning and spending money in the name of winning, trading Uggla for an elite centerfielder makes a ton of sense, signing a free agent second baseman who fits team need (Castillo, anyone?), packaging Jacobs with Uggla if need be, sticking Willingham at first (where he is a good defender) and signing a corner bopper bat that'll take a one year deal (Alou, Bonds) makes us an insta-contender in the incredibly incredibly old NL East of 2008. You think we'd be better off defensively with Willingham at first and Barry Bonds in left?? I actually think Willingham has turned himself into a pretty good leftfielder. Nothing special but average to slightly above average. The same can't be said for the 2007 version of Barry Bonds.

Here's a quick update from my "source" (and I'm not trying to be a pseudo-journalist here a'la CapeFish, but Marlins2003 and iFesta know who I mean when I say that this "source" is pretty damn connected with what's going on with the stadium deal). We were at the UM-Marshall game yesterday and going around the neighborhood talking about where things are going. Let's just say the Marlins have re-engaged the talks and are definitely looking at the OB. However, there is one remaining obstacle (which is huge) that may derail the project for a time period. I cannot divulge what the "obstacle" is (I was sworn to secrecy), but it is considerable. That's what I've got for now. Trust me, the "source" is impeccable. On a personal note, for those of you that have called the "neighborhood" low-class, you haven't been there. Some of the architecture of the homes located in the vicinity of NW 15 Ave. and NW 10 Street are beautiful stately Spanish/Mediterranean homes that have begun a wave of refurbishment. And you tell me what "low-class" neighborhood currently has homes selling for $375,000.00! Also, we parked in a place that had us in and out of the OB with no traffic, and there were 40,000 there yesterday. It also dawned on me as an irrational pipe dream that the City of Miami should eliminate the "No Parking-Tow Away Zone" signs for OB Events all around the neighborhoods and perhaps meter every possible side street around. What a great way to generate municipal revenue (and recreate the Fenway feel of all the streets!). That was just me.... Spit it out already! Trust me, I cannot say what the "obstacle" is. I just wanted to give you all an update and say that things ARE moving forward. This is a complex legal transaction and not something you can just wave a magic wand at. OK. I accept that he can tell us what the "obstacle" is, but we can try to guess. 1. It can't be the LOCATION because now they are saying that the Marlins and MLB are accepting the OB site. 2. It shouldn't be the FUNDING GAP because there seems to be enough money now that the City can use part of the funds originally set aside for the OB improvements. No one is foreseeing any problems with this roll-over. 3. It should not be a POLITICAL debate. No politician is saying that the City or the County will have problems approving the OB site nor have I heard or read anything about withdrawing economic support already promised. 4. It should not be an ENVIRONMENTAL issue since they will be replacing a stadium with another. 5. So, could the obstacle be LORIA? Could he be arguing to invest less money than previously agreed, stating that he would make more money if the stadium were built Downtown? Comments? Then again, ther may be problems with the rollover of the "OB improvement funds". I found this article in Miami Today site. OB money likely to go to new use By Risa Polansky Funding in place for renovation of the Orange Bowl may be up for grabs after the University of Miami's decision last week to leave its football team's longtime home for Dolphin Stadium. Miami-Dade County voters in 2004 approved a $2.9 billion bond program that included a $50 million to upgrade the Orange Bowl. Now that a renovation appears unlikely, county and Miami city officials may choose to reallocate the funds. "We don't know if and how that money is going to be reallocated," said Rafael Diaz, head of the transactional division in the city attorney's office. The city has reallocated bond money from one project to another so long as the alternate use was "in the purview of the (bond) program," he said. However, Mr. Diaz said, the attorney's office has yet to receive direction from the administration. Redistributing the funds most likely would require a vote by the city commission, he said. County spokeswoman Paula Musto said a county commission OK would also be needed. Another $37.2 million in city money ? $23.9 million in convention development taxes and $13.3 million from the Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority ? was identified for the Orange Bowl project. That, too, may be diverted. The UM move has created a buzz about building a new home for the Florida Marlins on the Orange Bowl site. But commissioners are receiving alternate suggestions from residents regarding how the funds could best be spent. Taffy Gould of the Miami Science Museum's executive committee said the city should seize the opportunity to fund a revamp of Bicentennial Park. While the science museum, along with the Miami Art Museum, is planning a move there, the city has yet to identify funds to improve the park. "Whatever it takes, I think the money should be allocated immediately," she said. Yes because revamping Bicentennial Park would be such a huge boon to the city. They really should spend these millions of dollars to get the place prettied up for the homeless that sleep there. That would generate so much more money for the city than building a baseball stadium at the OB site and revitalizing that area... Seriously if this is the issue than it really should be a major hold up. The people from the city and county, at least publically, have all stood behind a stadium at the OB. Hopefully this gets worked out soon.

Here's a quick update from my "source" (and I'm not trying to be a pseudo-journalist here a'la CapeFish, but Marlins2003 and iFesta know who I mean when I say that this "source" is pretty damn connected with what's going on with the stadium deal). We were at the UM-Marshall game yesterday and going around the neighborhood talking about where things are going. Let's just say the Marlins have re-engaged the talks and are definitely looking at the OB. However, there is one remaining obstacle (which is huge) that may derail the project for a time period. I cannot divulge what the "obstacle" is (I was sworn to secrecy), but it is considerable. That's what I've got for now. Trust me, the "source" is impeccable. On a personal note, for those of you that have called the "neighborhood" low-class, you haven't been there. Some of the architecture of the homes located in the vicinity of NW 15 Ave. and NW 10 Street are beautiful stately Spanish/Mediterranean homes that have begun a wave of refurbishment. And you tell me what "low-class" neighborhood currently has homes selling for $375,000.00! Also, we parked in a place that had us in and out of the OB with no traffic, and there were 40,000 there yesterday. It also dawned on me as an irrational pipe dream that the City of Miami should eliminate the "No Parking-Tow Away Zone" signs for OB Events all around the neighborhoods and perhaps meter every possible side street around. What a great way to generate municipal revenue (and recreate the Fenway feel of all the streets!). That was just me.... Spit it out already! Trust me, I cannot say what the "obstacle" is. I just wanted to give you all an update and say that things ARE moving forward. This is a complex legal transaction and not something you can just wave a magic wand at. The most positive thing is that all the major players are, seemingly, all on the same page for the first time. The city and county have the site that they really want the park to be at, the Marlins are OK with it, MLB is behind it and has publically endorsed the South Florida market(something I don't believe Selig would have done if he didn't think this deal was going to happen)...All of this leads me to believe that this will get done. Of course nothing with this deal is ever easy, but i'm optimistic.

Yes. Either that or in the AL. The guy has been destroying Marlins pitching for a few years now. He's so comfortable in the box against us...why hasn't someone drilled him yet??

From what Im understanding there is plenty of room for parking on the OB site so that won't be an issue. Pro Player is fine and dandy for a baseball game (right off the Turnpike) but it lacks one huge component (retractable roof) and it has about 35,000 seats that are unnecessary for a baseball franchise. Don't underestimate the power that a guaranteed rain/lightning free expierience will have on attendance issues. From what they've said, there is a 40 acre site at the OB. That should be plenty of room for both the stadium and a sufficient parking lot area. Is it the ideal area? No, but neither is downtown Miami or Hialeah. In South Florida, there really is no "best" site for eveyone. I'd rather the stadium be built in Broward, but that isn't happening. And no, I don't think relocation is an option...yet. However, I don't think MLB is willing to wait that much longer on this though. If the OB is the site, and they can get a deal done there, so be it. Build a great stadium there and make the rest work. I found Dodger Stadium to have pretty poor access(just a few lanes in and out of the parking lots), but they seem to manage out there.

I may be wrong, but I think this press conference could be a good thing. If all parties involved met today, why would Selig come out and make a negative statement. That would only set negotiations back further. It'll probably be the typical "we had a good meeting and will continue to talk" type of message we are all tired of around here.

Should I buy a season ticket plan? Is parking included with season ticket plans? Parking is free at Panthers games.

It's a lame excuse. I've been to FAU games at DS when they've had the dirt down, and plenty of college kickers have made field goals off of it without complaining. Can it be a problem? Sure. Does it lose you games? Not really. I watch every Fins game and I can't recall one time that they've lost that it was because of the dirt. What the Dolphins fans on that board fail to realize is that the Marlins don't want to be playing there any more than they don't want them there. Once we finally get a stadium deal done, everyone wil be happy.

all I want is a margaritta, plate of lobster, my girl at my side giving me a massage and a good game on the tv. But a win would be nice too PS also miggy signed long term Don't forget a Stadium deal. If that happens before the end of the season, it would be better than winning another World Series.

I'm by no means a Fredi Gonzalez fan but this is hardly his fault. From what I can tell, the major contributors for most of the losses are starting pitching and defense. If you want to blame any one individual (ridiculous) it should be Kranitz. No way in hell Loria cans Gonzalez so save your breath. It isn't Krantiz's or Gonzalez's fault that 3/5 of the rotation from last year has made like 10 total starts this season. That is the main reason that this season has been such a struggle. I'm not a fan of all of the move's Fredi has made either, but fire him after one season? Come on. I'd at least want to give him a chance to work with a complete rotation for a whole season before deciding he is the problem. Afterall, he is the guy many baseball "experts" agreed was the next guy in line to get a head job, not to mention the guy everyone on this board wanted after Girardi was let go. Besides, do people really still believe that the manager has a major impact on winning and losing? The players haven't been good enough. That is the bottom line. Placing the blame on the manager is just the easy excuse for fans. Lou Pinella was a savior until he had a crappy Tampa Bay team. The manager is only as good as his team. Unfortunately this Marlins team isn't very good right now.

There is a poll at http://www.miamiherald.com/598/story/210237.htmlabout what to do with the OB. So far, 53% say replace it with a ballpark, 27% fix it, 15% bulldoze it, and 6% condos. Who are the 6% that voted for condos??? If there is one thing that South Florida has enough of it's unsold condos. There are no excuses left for not FINALLY clolsing a stadium deal. There is land. There is money. Get it done.

JDC also said, a city official informed him it will cost $10,000,000 to demolish the OB. Explosives will not be used because of city ordinances. Who pays for that? Is that factored into the cost of the new ballpark? It's a shame they can't implode it. That would probably be cheaper...plus i've always wanted to see something like that live. Oh well.

Wow. Given his past, it isn't shocking that the Eddie Griffen story would end badly. Still, very sad. He had a lot of talent. Too bad it went mostly wasted.

The OB has a lot of history and everything but the Jets won the Super Bowl there so it must be blown up. :thumbup That and the fact they can use the land to build the Marlins a ballpark are the only reasons I need...they should bulldoze the place and then blow up the rubble.

The Marlins used to have their AAA team in Charlotte. It would actually make a lot of sense to move back there. Having a AAA team in NM can make travel difficult for players being called up and sent down, especially in emergency situations.

TORONTO -- The Miami situation is nearing critical mass and with no ballpark deal in sight, the Marlins have become one of Major League Baseball's top priorities. By explicit terms in their lease, the Marlins must be out of Dolphin Stadium at the end of the 2010 season. Although Marlins officials are not ready to announce the team's departure at this point, with no plan and no site for a new ballpark, the Marlins' future in South Florida has become questionable at best. "My nose is crushed [against the glass] because we're so up against it," Marlins president David Samson said Thursday after the quarterly owners meeting. "Every day that passes makes it more and more difficult. The longer this goes on diminishes the possibility of making the timing work." The Marlins' crisis wasn't an action item on Thursday's agenda, but it will certainly be in the near future if the issue can't be resolved at the local level. Early this year, with MLB president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy spearheading the effort, the Marlins seemed close to finalizing a stadium deal in downtown Miami. That ballpark, replete with a retractable roof, would have been located in a redevelopment district just miles inland from American Airlines Arena, which is nestled on the banks of Biscayne Bay and is home to the NBA's Miami Heat. The roof is a necessity, the Marlins say, because it gives fans certainty that games will be played during summer months in South Florida, when heat and humidity is a constant and showers are always expected. But in June, the Florida State Senate denied approval of $60 million in public funds that would've closed the deal. The city of Miami, Dade County and the Marlins had already agreed on their contributions to what would have been a 60-40 percent public-private partnership. Now all parties are back to square one, but time is running out and Commissioner Bud Selig said on Thursday that he's becoming concerned. "We need to make progress there," he said. "This team needs a new stadium. I've said many times that I like South Florida. I like it as a Major League market, but I like it as a Major League market as long as they get a new ballpark." Jeffrey Loria and his group of minority partners purchased the Marlins on Feb. 15, 2002. Loria had previously owned the Expos, but he and his stepson, Samson, fell short in financing a new stadium in Montreal to save that franchise, which ultimately moved to Washington, D.C., in 2005. At the same time, MLB purchased the Expos from Loria, and John Henry, the previous Marlins owner, became part of a group that bought the Red Sox. Loria is the third Marlins owner who has tried to resolve the stadium issue since the franchise expanded into the National League in 1993. Since Loria bought the team, the Marlins have been on the precipice twice. A few years ago after a deal in Miami to build a facility on land near the Orange Bowl fell through when a $30 million gap in the project's cost couldn't be closed at the state level, the Marlins were allowed to explore moving the franchise elsewhere. But a possible shift to San Antonio, Texas, was essentially nixed by MLB, which decided at the time to keep the team where it is. At the time, MLB's stadium efforts were bifurcated between Montreal/Washington, D.C., Minnesota, Oakland and Florida. But each of the first three situations now is resolved, with the Nationals opening a new ballpark south of the U.S. Capitol building next year, groundbreaking for a new Twins facility in downtown Minneapolis imminent, and A's ownership slowly moving forward on a partnership with Cisco Co. on a new yard in Fremont, Calif. Thus, all eyes are on Florida, Selig said. "Bob and I are going to talk about it in the next week or so," Selig said. "There are options [outside of Florida], but I hope we don't have to use them." Despite their economic problems, the Marlins have been one of MLB's most successful expansion franchises on the field, having won the World Series twice, in 1997 and 2003. Despite defeating the Yankees with a $45 million payroll in 2003, Samson claimed that the Marlins were losing in excess of $30 million a year. After the Miami stadium deal collapsed in 2005, Loria ordered the team gutted and the player payroll was reduced from $60.4 million that season to $15 million in 2006. It was increased to $30.5 million this year, but that's where it will remain without a new ballpark deal, Samson said. "Jeffrey has stopped writing out checks," he said. "Our payroll will pretty much match our revenue." Though the Marlins were surprisingly competitive last season, they drew a National League-low 1,165,120 at home, well below the league average of 2,598,741. Again this year after 60 dates, they've drawn 1,002,844, the lowest in the NL and 29th out of the 30 MLB teams, just ahead of Tampa Bay. The Marlins attracted a high of 3,064,847 during their inaugural 1993 season, but since then have only exceeded two million once, in 1997. With only three seasons to play in a facility that has recently been upgraded for football, the Marlins can't sustain those kind of numbers, said Samson, adding that there is no wiggle room in their lease. "I have a letter that I carry around with me that states pretty unequivocally that 2010 is our last season," Samson said. "Still, our whole focus with the Commissioner and Bob [DuPuy] is to find a Florida solution." http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb This topic is beyond boring already. I'll believe these other options when I see them. I'm sure we'll hear the same retreads Portland, San Antonio, Las Vegas even though none of those places are realistic. It's good that all these people are really concerned, but the time for action is now...well actually the time for action was 10 years ago. I don't personally think it is the best site, but if they would accept the OB site, I really think the deal would be in place by now. This franchise needs shovels in the ground and fast. I believe this all ends with either a stadium on the OB site or Loria being forced out. It can't keep going on and on like this.

TORONTO -- The Miami situation is nearing critical mass and with no ballpark deal in sight, the Marlins have become one of Major League Baseball's top priorities. By explicit terms in their lease, the Marlins must be out of Dolphin Stadium at the end of the 2010 season. Although Marlins officials are not ready to announce the team's departure at this point, with no plan and no site for a new ballpark, the Marlins' future in South Florida has become questionable at best. "My nose is crushed [against the glass] because we're so up against it," Marlins president David Samson said Thursday after the quarterly owners meeting. "Every day that passes makes it more and more difficult. The longer this goes on diminishes the possibility of making the timing work." The Marlins' crisis wasn't an action item on Thursday's agenda, but it will certainly be in the near future if the issue can't be resolved at the local level. Early this year, with MLB president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy spearheading the effort, the Marlins seemed close to finalizing a stadium deal in downtown Miami. That ballpark, replete with a retractable roof, would have been located in a redevelopment district just miles inland from American Airlines Arena, which is nestled on the banks of Biscayne Bay and is home to the NBA's Miami Heat. The roof is a necessity, the Marlins say, because it gives fans certainty that games will be played during summer months in South Florida, when heat and humidity is a constant and showers are always expected. But in June, the Florida State Senate denied approval of $60 million in public funds that would've closed the deal. The city of Miami, Dade County and the Marlins had already agreed on their contributions to what would have been a 60-40 percent public-private partnership. Now all parties are back to square one, but time is running out and Commissioner Bud Selig said on Thursday that he's becoming concerned. "We need to make progress there," he said. "This team needs a new stadium. I've said many times that I like South Florida. I like it as a Major League market, but I like it as a Major League market as long as they get a new ballpark." Jeffrey Loria and his group of minority partners purchased the Marlins on Feb. 15, 2002. Loria had previously owned the Expos, but he and his stepson, Samson, fell short in financing a new stadium in Montreal to save that franchise, which ultimately moved to Washington, D.C., in 2005. At the same time, MLB purchased the Expos from Loria, and John Henry, the previous Marlins owner, became part of a group that bought the Red Sox. Loria is the third Marlins owner who has tried to resolve the stadium issue since the franchise expanded into the National League in 1993. Since Loria bought the team, the Marlins have been on the precipice twice. A few years ago after a deal in Miami to build a facility on land near the Orange Bowl fell through when a $30 million gap in the project's cost couldn't be closed at the state level, the Marlins were allowed to explore moving the franchise elsewhere. But a possible shift to San Antonio, Texas, was essentially nixed by MLB, which decided at the time to keep the team where it is. At the time, MLB's stadium efforts were bifurcated between Montreal/Washington, D.C., Minnesota, Oakland and Florida. But each of the first three situations now is resolved, with the Nationals opening a new ballpark south of the U.S. Capitol building next year, groundbreaking for a new Twins facility in downtown Minneapolis imminent, and A's ownership slowly moving forward on a partnership with Cisco Co. on a new yard in Fremont, Calif. Thus, all eyes are on Florida, Selig said. "Bob and I are going to talk about it in the next week or so," Selig said. "There are options [outside of Florida], but I hope we don't have to use them." Despite their economic problems, the Marlins have been one of MLB's most successful expansion franchises on the field, having won the World Series twice, in 1997 and 2003. Despite defeating the Yankees with a $45 million payroll in 2003, Samson claimed that the Marlins were losing in excess of $30 million a year. After the Miami stadium deal collapsed in 2005, Loria ordered the team gutted and the player payroll was reduced from $60.4 million that season to $15 million in 2006. It was increased to $30.5 million this year, but that's where it will remain without a new ballpark deal, Samson said. "Jeffrey has stopped writing out checks," he said. "Our payroll will pretty much match our revenue." Though the Marlins were surprisingly competitive last season, they drew a National League-low 1,165,120 at home, well below the league average of 2,598,741. Again this year after 60 dates, they've drawn 1,002,844, the lowest in the NL and 29th out of the 30 MLB teams, just ahead of Tampa Bay. The Marlins attracted a high of 3,064,847 during their inaugural 1993 season, but since then have only exceeded two million once, in 1997. With only three seasons to play in a facility that has recently been upgraded for football, the Marlins can't sustain those kind of numbers, said Samson, adding that there is no wiggle room in their lease. "I have a letter that I carry around with me that states pretty unequivocally that 2010 is our last season," Samson said. "Still, our whole focus with the Commissioner and Bob [DuPuy] is to find a Florida solution." http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb Is it a coincidence that Samson and MLB officials talk about this now after being silent for the past few months with UM's OB decision due next week?

Glad he finally signed. Not to defend Loria or anything, but he's always shelled out the money for the draft picks.

I don't think there is much of a case here. The comments weren't directed soley at her and she was never mentioned by name on the radio. The only thing she is doing here is making Don Imus look sympathetic, which isn't easy to do. I mean here is this old guy who made an off-hand, somewhat offensive comment in passing on a radio show that very few people actually listen to...gets his name dragged through the mud....apologizes publically and to the team(after which they hold a ridiculous press conference and announce they have accepted the apology)....gets fired...and now, months later after most people have forgotten all about the Rutgers basketball team and the comments, he gets sued. What Imus did was wrong. This, to me, is worse. I agree with Mojo. People like her deserved to be punched in the face. :lol

Good news. Burn Notice has been renewed for a 2nd season.