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 similar 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.

Buying time, county extends stadium deal

 

Miami-Dade County commissioners agree to keep the Marlins stadium deal on track -- but bristle at a deadline set by Major League Baseball.

 

BY TERE FIGUERAS NEGRETE

 

tfigueras@herald.com

 

 

Unwilling to let hopes for a new Marlins stadium die, Miami-Dade County commissioners extended an agreement with the city of Miami -- albeit with a bit of razzing directed at Major League Baseball.

 

A three-page letter from league President Robert Dupuy sparked the ire of several commissioners, who bristled at the mention of a June 9 deadline to come up with a new game plan to close a $30 million funding gap.

 

''That's very, very arrogant,'' Commission Chairman Joe Martinez said at Tuesday's meeting, a sentiment echoed by others who had read the May 12 letter.

 

''I am a little insulted and kind of offended,'' said Commissioner Carlos Gimenez.

 

Yet another commissioner hinted his reaction to the letter might include speech not suitable for the chambers.

 

''My conversation could not be repeated here in public,'' said Commissioner Dennis Moss. ``I was not very happy to say the least.''

 

City and county leaders have been trying to keep the Marlins deal afloat, despite failing to win a sales tax rebate from the Legislature that would have covered a projected funding gap to build the stadium. The facility is envisioned as a $420 million project with a retractable roof in the heart of Little Havana.

 

Supporters of the stadium are still holding onto the prospect that the Marlins deal might be revisited should the governor or lawmakers call a special legislative session -- a scenario that is not currently in the works.

 

City officials have already agreed to extend the deal between Miami and the county, which would have expired when the legislative session ended this month.

 

Extending the so-called ''memorandum of understanding'' for 90 days would essentially buy some time while alternatives are explored -- without having to start from scratch.

 

That would keep the deal along a ''critical path,'' said County Manager George Burgess.

 

The county has pledged $138 million -- with $30 million from tourist taxes, $48 million from sports franchise taxes and an additional $60 million in tourist taxes formerly allotted for the Miami Arena, which will be given to the city to issue bonds. The Marlins have promised $192 million.

 

The city of Miami has said it will give $28 million, plus land near the stadium for the site. Parking revenues are expected to generate $32 million.

 

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and several county commissioners -- including Martinez -- have been adamant that local governments won't increase their stakes. The Marlins, too, have said the team won't up its offer.

 

The back-and-forth between parties, as well as the most recent rebuff from Tallahassee, was no surprise to Gimenez -- who as a former Miami city manager witnessed previous incarnations of a stadium deal fall apart.

 

''I've seen this game played before,'' Gimenez said to Burgess. ``Frankly, George, I don't know how you still have hair.''

Link

Nice to see both the County and City have extended the memorandum of understanding. The deal is still alive.

Just a random comic I found about the stadium problems:

 

http://www.boneflake.com/smallmarketsports...ex.php?page=050

HAHA pretty funny.