April 20, 200422 yr Sun-Sentinel link House Speaker says there is no money for Marlins this year Associated Press Posted April 20 2004, 1:05 PM EDT TALLAHASSEE -- A $60 million state subsidy the World Series champion Florida Marlins sought to help offset the planned costs of building a new stadium won't be awarded by lawmakers this year. House Speaker Johnnie Byrd has decided not to support the plan and his chamber won't be putting any money into next year's budget to help the Marlins, his office said Tuesday. ``It wasn't a good idea,'' said Tom Denham, Byrd's spokesman. The Marlins wanted $2 million annually over 30 years to help pay for their planned $325 million, 38,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium _ something they wanted to have ready in time for the 2007 season. Team officials said they needed the lawmaker support this year to ensure they met that goal. A call seeking comment from Marlins officials was not immediately returned Tuesday. The team has pledged $137 million toward the ballpark, and Miami-Dade County has committed $73 million _ but that leaves a gap of $115 million, and the Marlins set a deadline of May 1 to have stadium funding in place. Senate President Jim King adamantly opposed the idea of a subsidy being included in this year's budget package, saying he feared citizens would see the move as one helping ``rich people get richer.'' King, who calls himself a Marlins fan, added that he couldn't support money for a sports team in a year where lawmakers are considering dramatic cuts to social programs. Without King's support, the plan faced a difficult road to passage. Now, it's dead. Gov. Jeb Bush, who supported the subsidy, acknowledged that part of the reason lawmakers declined to back the funding plan was because the Marlins have yet to decide where they'll build the new ballpark. ``I would hope the Marlins would get the same benefits as all the other professional sports teams in the state,'' Bush said. ``But I understand that they started late in the game and not all of their proposal is finite.'' The Marlins originally set a March 15 deadline for a stadium-funding deal, a decree announced on the same day hundreds of thousands of fans turned out for rallies in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to celebrate Florida's World Series victory over the New York Yankees. That deadline passed quietly and without repercussions. The Marlins have so far refused to say publicly what will happen if the second deadline expires without a stadium plan. The team has said a new ballpark would provide a cash influx from use of luxury-suite rentals and profits from parking and concession sales. It currently leases Pro Player Stadium from former Marlins owner Wayne Huizenga, who also profits from the parking and concessions. Huizenga received the same $60 million state subsidy when the Marlins began play in 1993. He still receives the $166,666.67 monthly payment, although he no longer owns the team. King said he didn't want to give the Marlins the break again, although the team now has different ownership.? Well, that just about it does it folks. Hopefully Loria & Samson don't start crying and talking about consequences, etc... Just try & make the best of a bad situation until something better gets worked out in the future.
April 20, 200422 yr The World Series champion Marlins will not be awarded a $60-million state subsidy that they wanted to help offset costs of a new stadium. House Speaker Johnnie Byrd decided not to support the plan, and his chamber won't be putting any money into next year's budget to help the Marlins, who wanted $2 million a year over 30 years to help pay for their planned $325-million, 38,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium. The Marlins have pledged $137 million toward the new ballpark, and Miami-Dade County has committed $73 million -- leaving a gap of $115 million. The team wanted to have the stadium ready in time for the 2007 season and set a deadline of May 1 to have funding in place That was on the Marlins clubhouse page :banghead . I dont know whats gonna happen
April 20, 200422 yr Who knows if Loria sells the team to someone who has $$ in the future.Is certianly not over yet but Marlins have move one step closer to moving.
April 20, 200422 yr Who knows if Loria sells the team to someone who has $$ in the future.Is certianly not over yet but Marlins have move one step closer to moving. is it actually worth it? ... I think a new owner would be smarter than that
April 20, 200422 yr Who knows if Loria sells the team to someone who has $$ in the future.Is certianly not over yet but Marlins have move one step closer to moving. Once again.... Where is it exactly that they are/would move to???? This team isn't going anywhere soon, regardless of their efforts to pander for money to the state house, the Governor, The city, the County, me, you, or the homeless guy sitting in front of the liquor store.
April 20, 200422 yr wow that really sucked...damit this team just won the damn world series and nobody wants to help us keep the damn team here....well all those guys just lost my vote....
April 20, 200422 yr Sad day for Marlins fans. Don't want to sound negative but we may be seeing the last of Mike Lowell and others this season so enjoy it fellas.
April 20, 200422 yr Can someone list the names of those Polititians responsible for this? I know King is in there. I want to make sure they don't get my vote ever
April 20, 200422 yr Author House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, Republican from Plant City is the one who's basically killed any chance of it reaching the state. (Not that it had much hope there either.) here's a form link to mail him: link
April 20, 200422 yr The team won't be able to move anywhere. The only thing that can happen really is a new stadium or Loria goes backrupt and is forced to sell team or even disband it which is what the owners wanted in the first place. Their form of contraction. :confused
April 20, 200422 yr You guys make me sick. The deadline is imposed by the Marlins, so if Loria is serious, he could take another year of losses and stay. We shall now what will happen to this team for the 2007 season in December 2004 when the Marlins must let Wayne know if they wish to extend the lease for 2007. The State House and Senate is still in session and weirder things have happened, so don't lose hope just yet.
April 20, 200422 yr You guys make me sick. The deadline is imposed by the Marlins, so if Loria is serious, he could take another year of losses and stay. We shall now what will happen to this team for the 2007 season in December 2004 when the Marlins must let Wayne know if they wish to extend the lease for 2007. The State House and Senate is still in session and weirder things have happened, so don't lose hope just yet. how so? facts are facts.
April 20, 200422 yr Only hope I see, Dade County Land (outside of the City of Miami) + No Roof costing far less than the projected 325 Millions = Cheap Stadium. However, I don't know why, but I see very low chances of this happening. If this team wants to stay together, they must play A ball and be well above .500 by the all star break. Otherwise, we will see some players being traded for fresher blood. Which is going to be a necessity if we are to stay down here with no stadium.
April 20, 200422 yr You guys make me sick. The deadline is imposed by the Marlins, so if Loria is serious, he could take another year of losses and stay. We shall now what will happen to this team for the 2007 season in December 2004 when the Marlins must let Wayne know if they wish to extend the lease for 2007. The State House and Senate is still in session and weirder things have happened, so don't lose hope just yet. how so? facts are facts. A week ago he was for it. Things happen and change. Don't lose hope Das...or else just go cheer for the Astros. They may not have rings, but they have the ballpark.
April 20, 200422 yr Where are the Friends of the MArlins when you need them? The friends of the Marlins are Benjamins.
April 20, 200422 yr You guys make me sick. The deadline is imposed by the Marlins, so if Loria is serious, he could take another year of losses and stay. We shall now what will happen to this team for the 2007 season in December 2004 when the Marlins must let Wayne know if they wish to extend the lease for 2007. The State House and Senate is still in session and weirder things have happened, so don't lose hope just yet. how so? facts are facts. A week ago he was for it. Things happen and change. Don't lose hope Das...or else just go cheer for the Astros. They may not have rings, but they have the ballpark. The city of Miami....Miami Dade County and the state of florida have been dragging their feet for so long now...... i am looking at reality as it stands right now. you are looking at pipe dreams. any other location and a team winning 2 world series in 7 years would not have to fight for a stadium like this team is.... especially when the team has been actively pursuing one. all parties involved on the government side continue to drag their feet, lie to people, have corruption written across their face etc.
April 20, 200422 yr even if they decide to wait one more year, they still have to restructure lowell contract.
April 20, 200422 yr Where are the Friends of the MArlins when you need them? what did happen to them? They supported a crappy stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, they should support a stadium in North Dade. can't we take the money hipinga is getting and give it to the marlins
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