Stadium update: Major League Baseball officials on Friday sent the city of Miami, Miami-Dade County and the Marlins letters regarding the team's quest for a $420 million retractable-roof stadium next to the Orange Bowl in Miami.

 

The letter essentially set a June 9 date to get all sides to complete the final $45 million in funding. The status of the ballpark is in jeopardy after the Florida legislature declined approving a $60 million sales tax rebate, which would have finalized the deal.

 

Marlins president David Samson, who is negotiating daily to complete the deal, declined to comment on the letter or the progress of the stadium.

 

Essentially, the letter asked all sides to figure out a way to get the deal done by June 9. The league is hopeful of keeping the Marlins in South Florida, and suggested either a referendum or a special session by the state to help cover the remaining gap.

 

The league also wouldn't stand in the way of the Marlins changing their name to the Miami Marlins.

 

Manager Jack McKeon doesn't have any inside information on the stadium, but he is optimistic the stadium will get built in Miami.

 

"In the scheme of things, [baseball] is too valuable a commodity not to get it done," McKeon said. "I think it's a great area. I'm hopeful. I think we all are. I love it down there. I know that certainly [owner] Jeffrey Loria and our executives want to see baseball stay in Florida. I don't know what the league said."

 

 

C/O FloridaMarlins.com

Update from the Sentinel:

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/sou...-home-headlines

MLB, UGH my frustrations with MLB. Why do they have to set up a deadline? Are they going to actively try and move the Marlins if they dont get it done by June 9? Are they basically saying if its not done by June 9th, MLB is done in S. Fla? I dont get it.

MLB, UGH my frustrations with MLB. Why do they have to set up a deadline? Are they going to actively try and move the Marlins if they dont get it done by June 9? Are they basically saying if its not done by June 9th, MLB is done in S. Fla? I dont get it.

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Well from what DuPuy reportedly said it sounds like MLB is not happy the Marlins get a lot of the revenue sharing dollars and just flirt with the idea of getting a new stadium. He says that the Marlins will not survive in DS nor without a roof.

 

Maybe after the date MLB sets, Loria, DuPuy, and Selig will all sit down to have a talk. Hell since they are all chummy maybe Henry will stop by and they'll drink some and party and remember when they pulled one over the rest of the MLB.

Why can't MLB gurantee an All Star game or something?

Why can't MLB gurantee an All Star game or something?

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That would open the door for teams to ask for similar favors in the future and then if MLB doesn't shell out then you'll get the "Well you did it for them..." spat going on. Plus how many years in advance do they decide the all-star game anyway?

Why can't MLB gurantee an All Star game or something?

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That would open the door for teams to ask for similar favors in the future and then if MLB doesn't shell out then you'll get the "Well you did it for them..." spat going on. Plus how many years in advance do they decide the all-star game anyway?

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Well we know that SPC Park is getting it in a few years. I'm sure that its a decision that MLB has to make ahead of time to give the host cities and teams enough time to organize the event.

Looking things up real quick I think they decide 3 years in advance so the first year that is open is 2008.

Im sure MLB wants the money they gave Loria to buy the Marlins, they dont get it if the Marlins dont get a stadium.

 

As far as revenue sharing is concerned, why dont they get upset at teams that get a boat load of cash from rev. sharing and then dont spend it. Its not the Marlins fault they get a good amount from revenue sharing, its the deal MLB has in place, help the teams that need help, with something like 20 of 30 teams having a new stadium since 1992, not many teams are in such financial need.

Im sure MLB wants the money they gave Loria to buy the Marlins, they dont get it if the Marlins dont get a stadium.

 

As far as revenue sharing is concerned, why dont they get upset at teams that get a boat load of cash from rev. sharing and then dont spend it. Its not the Marlins fault they get a good amount from revenue sharing, its the deal MLB has in place, help the teams that need help, with something like 20 of 30 teams having a new stadium since 1992, not many teams are in such financial need.

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Exactly. Just like the Yankees and Red Sox are playing within the rules that are in place, so are the Marlins. And why don't they go after teams like the Royals and Devil Rays? Those guys must get a ton of cash and most of it probably never gets put to use.

I think the "deadline" that MLB has given the team, county and city to complete the negotiations for the new stadium is to give it a sense of urgency. We all know that without a deadline there is no hurry to do get it done.

 

The possibility that the governor may call a special session of the Florida Legislature to discuss the Marlins stadium may actually delay negotiations.

 

If I were one of the parties in a business negotiation I would not offer to contribute any more money (we are talking millions) to a project if there were a chance that the State could still kick in some cash. In my humble opinion, the chances that the State will help this year are very slim, especially while Mr. Lee is the Senate president and Mr. Brummer is the chairman of the Finance Committee in the House.

 

I don't know the rules that the special session will go by, but if they are simmilar the the ones used in the regular session, I am not optimistic. Would it be a Marlins-only bill, or would it have the NASCAR thing etc attached to it? If it were a Marlins-only bill, would it need to pass the House again before going to the Senate? And if so , would it need to go by the committee route or could it go straight to the floor of the House? In the Senate, could it go to the floor without needing a 2/3 vote?

 

I personally think that there will be no special session, that the State will not give a penny, that the negotiations will drag on like they always do, that datelines will come and go with no results, that the team, city and county will finally come up with a deal maybe by the end of the year, in time to get the stadium built by the start of the 2008 season.

 

The reason for my thinking this are many but the most important one is the way that Miami Mayor Manny Diaz went to bat for the stadium deal in recent weeks. Before this happened I did not think he was a big supporter of the Marlins. He has been a strong leader in the City and with his help I think the stadium deal will EVENTUALLY get done.

From ESPN:

 

City, county must revise plan by June 9

 

Associated Press

 

MIAMI -- Major League Baseball told the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County that they have until June 9 to revise financing plans for a new Florida Marlins ballpark now that the state Legislature has refused to chip in.

 

The letter from MLB chief operating officer Bob DuPuy to local government leaders also said baseball won't issue a letter of credit to cover cost overruns on the project, and reiterated that the Marlins can't stay in the open-air Dolphins Stadium for the team to have long-term success in South Florida.

 

The letter doesn't say what the consequences are for missing the deadline, but team officials met in Las Vegas with Mayor Oscar Goodman five months ago, and Goodman is trying to lure a franchise to his city.

 

"The Marlins are one of the only teams currently expected to continue losing money through 2006," the letter dated May 12 states. "We must collectively provide [commissioner Bud Selig] with the Marlins' path to financial stability."

 

The two-time World Series winners want to build a $420 million, 38,000-seat retractable roof stadium next to the Orange Bowl near downtown Miami. The team insists that their proposed park would mean no more delays caused by Florida's rainy summers, possibly leading to better attendance, increased revenue and a higher payroll.

 

The Marlins have played at Dolphins Stadium -- formerly known as Pro Player Stadium -- since their founding in 1993, but they have said they might move without a new ballpark.

 

City and county officials pledged $166 million toward the ballpark, and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria agreed to pay $192 million rent. A $32 million parking garage was expected to pay for itself, leaving a $30 million funding gap to be plugged by the state.

 

The Marlins lobbied lawmakers to get a $60 million tax rebate that would provide the money needed to complete the plan, but the state Senate refused to hear the measure before the Legislature's session ended May 6.

 

DuPuy's letter asks the team, city and county to report by June 9 on a completed financing plan and provide a "detailed critical path" for the project, which would include a construction timeline, land acquisition plans and other details.

 

The letter also mentioned three solutions to overcome the shortage: additional contributions by the team, city and county; holding a city- or county-wide referendum to raise more public funds; or trying to persuade the state to offer millions more dollars. Those options appear to be long shots.

 

The letter also discussed a $45 million gap in stadium funding, which differed from previous statements from politicians and the Marlins that they needed $30 million. The additional $15 million apparently comes from officials' concerns that the cost of the property could surpass initial estimates.

 

In a memo dated Monday, Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess wrote that he wasn't comfortable in recommending a referendum for the county to increase its contribution from tourism-based bed taxes.

 

"At this point, none of the parties have indicated a willingness to increase the level of their current contribution for the project," Burgess wrote. He added that an alternative may be to "reduce the cost and scope of the project."

 

Burgess also said that a $10 million cost overrun guarantee is key to the deal's final approval. Burgess wrote that he was "not pleased to learn MLB appears unwilling" to provide the letter of credit.

 

The Marlins declined comment Tuesday. City manager Joe Arriola didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

 

 

 

 

Link

 

Funny that MLB is trying to put pressure to get the deal done, yet is unwilling to do anything tangible to help.

This thing won't get done in my lifetime. :plain

He added that an alternative may be to "reduce the cost and scope of the project."

 

Awesome! We can have Miami Arena II all over again. Don't these politicians ever learn?

He added that an alternative may be to "reduce the cost and scope of the project."

 

Awesome! We can have Miami Arena II all over again. Don't these politicians ever learn?

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I doubt that wil happen. Hopefully Loria gets some new minority owners.

MLB NEVER learns!!

 

Every time they have tried threatening politicians in South Florida, the politicians go out of their way to kill any proposals.

 

MLB needs to just keep their mouths shut. But I fear the damage has already been done.

 

Kiss ANY stadium deal goodbye.

Hardball means progress has come.

MLB NEVER learns!!

 

Every time they have tried threatening politicians in South Florida, the politicians go out of their way to kill any proposals.

 

MLB needs to just keep their mouths shut. But I fear the damage has already been done.

 

Kiss ANY stadium deal goodbye.

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agree

Stadium by June 9th or the Marlins are moving. Frankly, I wouldn't blame management.

Marlins organization seems somewhat annoyed by this letter.

Marlins organization seems somewhat annoyed by this letter.

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Who the hell wouldn't? They haven't helped this whole time and now they're telling us to hurry up. Please MLB FO shut the f*** up for once.

 

The Marlins need to tell the city and county just how annoyed they are by this.

Update from the Palm Beach Post.

 

Two somewhat new things: one, the "deadline" isn't really a deadline for the deal to be completed, but just a deadline for an "update;" two, looks like Gov. Bush is now trying to push the stay in Dolphins Stadium route, or at least considering it.

 

MLB: Marlins haven't talked moving

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

 

If the Marlins plan to leave South Florida as an option to not getting a new stadium, they have not raised that idea yet with Major League Baseball, two league officials said Tuesday.

 

"This idea of the Marlins at all relocating, while maybe it will come up in the future if everything falls apart, that has not been discussed at this point," said one league official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

 

Bob DuPuy, the league's chief operating officer, dismissed concerns by South Florida leaders that the Marlins, city of Miami and Miami-Dade County must complete a stadium financing plan by June 9.

 

"We asked for a report of next steps... and set June 9 as a response date. That gives them a month to reply," DuPuy said in an e-mail to The Palm Beach Post.

 

"It is a deadline in the sense that the Commissioner wants a response by then, but is by no means an ultimatum requiring anything by that date but a plan and a report."

 

DuPuy asked the three parties in a letter May 12 to explore options to bridge a $45 million gap in plans to build a $420 million ballpark with a retractable roof next to Miami's Orange Bowl.

 

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Tuesday questioned both the urgency of needing to find a new home for the team as well as the claim that Dolphins Stadium was a bad place for fans to watch baseball.

 

"I think it's a pretty good place for baseball from that perspective, and as I understand it, (Wayne) Huizenga (who owns Dolphins Stadium) has said that he would extend the lease," Bush said.

 

"So the question isn't so much the desirability of (Dolphins Stadium). It's the question of the economics of baseball. And that's a touchy subject as well, because that gets to the question of how much should the taxpayers subsidize a business model that depends on incredibly high wages for success? And I don't know the answer to that."

 

In 1991, as Huizenga was bidding for a new franchise in the National League expansion, some supporters of other cities questioned whether the park would be appropriate for baseball, given that it was built specifically for football.

 

But Huizenga spokesman Don Smiley told the Washington Times that Joe Robbie Stadium was "designed and built with baseball in mind," and that the "sightlines" there were not much different from the Baltimore Orioles' then-new home, Camden Yards.

 

And Huizenga told the newspaper before a site visit by baseball owners: "I know there are some doubters out there, but when they see that stadium converted to baseball, they're going to be very, very excited, just as we are now."

 

In 1991, Bush was a board member of a Miami economic development group, and helped Huizenga land the franchise.

 

Fourteen years later, as governor, Bush has alternated between publicly supporting a second, $60 million subsidy for the Marlins as a "matter of fairness" and questioning the wisdom of helping billionaire owners pay athletes millions of dollars to play a game.

 

Bush said he spoke with Miami Mayor Manny Diaz soon after the end of the legislative session and explained to him the unlikelihood of including stadium money in a special session. Bush is considering a special session this year to implement a trial program to let insurance companies and HMOs administer the Medicaid program in several test counties.

 

"He asked about the possibility of a special session," Bush said. "And I said that the way the special -session process works is if there is consensus of a course of action by the leadership of the House and the Senate, we can expand the call."

 

The Marlins have won two World Series (1997 and 2003) while playing at Dolphins Stadium, which has spacious dimensions that have benefited Florida's pitching-strong teams.

 

But that doesn't mean the Marlins do not need a new ballpark, as Bush claims, several players said. The issue, they said, is that Huizenga gets most of the revenue generated by the stadium when the Marlins play there.

 

"It's not about if it's in good shape. It's about getting the money so they can afford to pay players," pitcher Josh Beckett said.

 

Reliever Todd Jones said he understands Bush's position, especially at a time when the state still is recovering from four hurricanes that struck last year.

 

"There are still blue tarps on the roofs of homes and businesses. Until that gets cleared up, that's the stance he's got to take," Jones said.

 

Jones said he also took notice when Marlins officials met in December in Las Vegas with Mayor Oscar Goodman, who is trying to lure a team there.

 

Dolphins Stadium "is a good place to play for everybody except for (Marlins owner) Jeffrey Loria because he is not getting the same revenue streams that every other team has. If he can go to a city that's gonna give you those revenue streams, then he's gonna do it. Surely (the state) can understand that."

 

 

 

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...rlins_0518.html

Wouldn't it be nice if Huzinga would just sell a 50% stake in the stadium to Loria, and they could put a roof on it together

Gov. Bush is being a joke about this thing.

 

Jones should shut up.

Marlins organization seems somewhat annoyed by this letter.

775706[/snapback]

 

 

Who the hell wouldn't? They haven't helped this whole time and now they're telling us to hurry up. Please MLB FO shut the f*** up for once.

 

The Marlins need to tell the city and county just how annoyed they are by this.

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Agreed.

 

MLB qualifies for a "Just Shut Up" nomination this week.