Marlins President David Samson said Monday he expects the team to sell about 5,000 season tickets for the 2006 season, down from about 10,000 last season.

 

"We have a chance to be down by 50 percent," Samson said.

 

But he reiterated that with a significantly pared-down payroll -- expected to be about $18 million -- the team will not lose money for the first time since owner Jeffrey Loria purchased the team in 2002. But even with millions from revenue sharing and television broadcast rights, Samson promised the team wouldn't make money either. Beyond payroll, the team's other expenses include minor league operations, stadium rent, administration and staff.

 

"Jeffrey will not be making $1," Samson said. "The days of losing money for Jeffrey are over."

 

Samson says he remains focused on trying to secure the team's future in a new stadium. While he said he spends most of his time on options in South Florida, which currently are focused on two sites in Hialeah, he is continuing his visits to other cities outside Florida. He said he will be visiting another locale he wouldn't identify this week.

 

This is an odd statement since most owners demand we accept their notion that most owners in MLB lose money . I just wish Samson would share the facts when he sees fit and stop trying to always sell us on his wo-is-us b.s.. They knew the downside of owning a team from their Montreal days. They have been offered deals to sell the team. When you refuse to sell....when your fellow owners say losing money is common...it gets really old to hear this B.S.. I don't agree nor disagree with it. I just don't want to hear it.

I don't know what is so hard to understand about the statements above.

 

The Marlins are going to run the operation as close to break-even as possible after years of losing money. No doubt when they changed their business plan they anticipated a loss in season ticket sales.

 

Season ticket sales are measured not in head counts but that the number of 81 game (or equivalents derived from selling 2X41 game packs, fourX20 game packs, etc.) so it may not be as bad as it sounds.

He said more than that, he said that people who went to games before this season should PUBLICLY state why they aren't going this year. Does he really need that spelled out for him?

when you kick the season ticket holders and fans repeatedly they dont often come back.

 

 

when you beat a dog eventually it bites back.

He said more than that, he said that people who went to games before this season should PUBLICLY state why they aren't going this year. Does he really need that spelled out for him?

 

Yeah, Joe Rose has been playing clips of the interview this morning and there's more than what is in this article. As usual, Samson makes you wish he would let someone else do the talking.

 

Rose is still playing the clips every once in a while if anyone wants to listen.

He's lying again, like he always does. The Devil Rays have been making money every year......and their payroll is higher than the Marlins is this year......they're going to make alot of money even if no one goes to the games.

 

The revenue sharing (at least $30 million) will go right in their pockets.

How much money did the marlins lose last season? I believe it was around 20 million. So they were planning on losing over 40 million dollars this year? That is the amount they shed the payroll by. I am sure he will be making money, and a lot of it.

This is an odd statement since most owners demand we accept their notion that most owners in MLB lose money . I just wish Samson would share the facts when he sees fit and stop trying to always sell us on his wo-is-us b.s.. They knew the downside of owning a team from their Montreal days. They have been offered deals to sell the team. When you refuse to sell....when your fellow owners say losing money is common...it gets really old to hear this B.S.. I don't agree nor disagree with it. I just don't want to hear it.

 

He's lying again, like he always does. The Devil Rays have been making money every year......and their payroll is higher than the Marlins is this year......they're going to make alot of money even if no one goes to the games.

Hello!!!!! The Devil Rays and other MLB teams actually have access to luxury box sales, full shares of gameday revenues and comprehensive marketing and advertising opportunities! These are assets that most other MLB owners attempt to hide from the team's books. The classic example is Huizenga setting up dummy companies to handle concessions and parking.

I don't feel bad for the ownership of the Marlins at all. They knew of the lease and lack of fan support before they bought the team.

Then you shouldn't be blaming them for trying to break out of that agreement. That is unless you enjoy having a third-rate club.

 

I really can't understand fans who find comfort in the miserable existence of a Marlins franchise that can not produce the revenue to keep its team or make investments in the community. Life is about improvement. Sports is about success and failure. These fans, like sadists, get their thrill in rhythmic suffering.

Honestly I don't know what to think. I doubt they lose money this year. Hell, I doubt they ever lost much. Loria isn't exactly the wealthiest owner... if he was losing these millions upon millions year in and year out, he would have gotten out of the game a long time ago.

Wait, they're complaining about bad season ticket numbers?

 

The same group that raised ticket prices on average about 25% for 2006 and then refused to give a refund after their rope-a-dope techniques regarding early renewal and nearly had a riot on their hands in December at the town-hall meeting?

 

NO WAY!!!!

 

 

Seriously, I'm so god damn sick of this whining, perhaps if they actually knew how to run an organization and treat their fans respectfully, fans would stick by them in the tough times.

 

They're not losing money, in fact they're going to make quite a sizeable profit this year (their final to allow amortization of their loan from MLB to reflect as a "loss), but thanks to creative book-keeping, I'm sure it will look like they broke even.

Then you shouldn't be blaming them for trying to break out of that agreement. That is unless you enjoy having a third-rate club.

 

I really can't understand fans who find comfort in the miserable existence of a Marlins franchise that can not produce the revenue to keep its team or make investments in the community. Life is about improvement. Sports is about success and failure. These fans, like sadists, get their thrill in rhythmic suffering.

 

 

I'm not blaming them for the lease agreement they have. It's perfectly legal, and they knew about it before they bought the team.

 

I don't find ANY comfort with what will surely be a wretched team they put on the field this year, but the owners new about this situation long ago.

There just comes a time that Samson needs to stop selling. Kick back and start talking about the team....let's have fun. If the $$ aspect of the game is now under control....and the stadium issues have nothing to do with the fans...why be talking $$ when gearing up for Spring Training?

Wait, they're complaining about bad season ticket numbers?

 

The same group that raised ticket prices on average about 25% for 2006 and then refused to give a refund after their rope-a-dope techniques regarding early renewal and nearly had a riot on their hands in December at the town-hall meeting?

 

NO WAY!!!!

 

 

Seriously, I'm so god damn sick of this whining, perhaps if they actually knew how to run an organization and treat their fans respectfully, fans would stick by them in the tough times.

 

They're not losing money, in fact they're going to make quite a sizeable profit this year (their final to allow amortization of their loan from MLB to reflect as a "loss), but thanks to creative book-keeping, I'm sure it will look like they broke even.

 

 

I agree with everything you've stated. What they did to the season-ticket holders is disgusting.....and then to treat them with disrespect at the Town Meeting is unbelievbale. I think they were so cocky at that meeting because they thought someone would have given them a FREE stadium by now. If the current ownership runs this team in Florida for the long haul.....it will take a long time for them to repair the damage they've done to the fan base this year.

 

There just comes a time that Samson needs to stop selling. Kick back and start talking about the team....let's have fun. If the $$ aspect of the game is now under control....and the stadium issues have nothing to do with the fans...why be talking $$ when gearing up for Spring Training?

 

 

Because he's a selfish little weasel that probably got picked on as a kid and now he's trying to be the man.

I missed the clips on Rose, does anyone have a full transcript or something?

Then you shouldn't be blaming them for trying to break out of that agreement. That is unless you enjoy having a third-rate club.

 

I really can't understand fans who find comfort in the miserable existence of a Marlins franchise that can not produce the revenue to keep its team or make investments in the community. Life is about improvement. Sports is about success and failure. These fans, like sadists, get their thrill in rhythmic suffering.

 

 

I'm not blaming them for the lease agreement they have. It's perfectly legal, and they knew about it before they bought the team.

 

I don't find ANY comfort with what will surely be a wretched team they put on the field this year, but the owners new about this situation long ago.

Yet you are blaming them for their attempts to break out of the deal that severely limits the amount of revenue they can earn and invest back into on-field talent and marketing. Yes, they agreed to it, but that doesn't mean they have to be stuck with it. There is no absolutly provision that the Marlins must stay at Pro Player. You're not allowed to refinance the loan you acquired from a sale of property? Come on, man. The schtick is done. Yes, they knew the risks. John Henry knew the risks too. Any owner you may wish Loria to sell to will know the risk. Damn near everyone in Florida, atleast those in position to do something about, know about the lease. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS TO REMAIN THAT WAY!!! The Marlins aren't here to please you. They are a professional major league baseball team whose owners expect a return of profit on their investment. They are not South Florida's team to be d*ck*d around with and disrespected by all (yes, I'm including fans who demand top-flight service at cheap prices here). They are please to explore other opportunities, in South Florida and elsewhere. You are not entitled to a team. You're simply the best option at this time.

In the real world, when you sign a lease you can't get out of it unless the landlord lets you.....and you usually have to pay through the nose in order to do it.

 

Why are you so pro-ownership?

 

I agree that it's their team and they can do whatever they want with it. If they want to tear up the team and draw 400,000 fans.....it's their right to do that. Just don't come crying on my pillow.

Then you shouldn't be blaming them for trying to break out of that agreement. That is unless you enjoy having a third-rate club.

 

I really can't understand fans who find comfort in the miserable existence of a Marlins franchise that can not produce the revenue to keep its team or make investments in the community. Life is about improvement. Sports is about success and failure. These fans, like sadists, get their thrill in rhythmic suffering.

 

 

I'm not blaming them for the lease agreement they have. It's perfectly legal, and they knew about it before they bought the team.

 

I don't find ANY comfort with what will surely be a wretched team they put on the field this year, but the owners new about this situation long ago.

Yet you are blaming them for their attempts to break out of the deal that severely limits the amount of revenue they can earn and invest back into on-field talent and marketing. Yes, they agreed to it, but that doesn't mean they have to be stuck with it. There is no absolutly provision that the Marlins must stay at Pro Player. You're not allowed to refinance the loan you acquired from a sale of property? Come on, man. The schtick is done. Yes, they knew the risks. John Henry knew the risks too. Any owner you may wish Loria to sell to will know the risk. Damn near everyone in Florida, atleast those in position to do something about, know about the lease. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS TO REMAIN THAT WAY!!! The Marlins aren't here to please you. They are a professional major league baseball team whose owners expect a return of profit on their investment. They are not South Florida's team to be d*ck*d around with and disrespected by all (yes, I'm including fans who demand top-flight service at cheap prices here). They are please to explore other opportunities, in South Florida and elsewhere. You are not entitled to a team. You're simply the best option at this time.

 

 

Loria & Co. knew what they were getting into with that lease. They made a calculated bet that they could get a stadium that was mostly, if not totally, funded by local and state governments (whether that is here in South Florida or elsewhere). Good businessmen don't buy a business making a bet that, to make things work, they will get aid from the local and state governments. Relying on someone else's generosity to eventually make money is not good business. (That's like buying a house that is torn up everywhere and betting that your parents or someone else will cover the expenses to fix it.) Loria & Co. are going to pay a price for being bad businessmen, whether that is in the form of a bigger contribution to fund a stadium or having to sell the team.

They are not South Florida's team to be d*ck*d around with and disrespected by all (yes, I'm including fans who demand top-flight service at cheap prices here).

Speaking for myself, I am not paying cheap prices and as for "top-flight service"...I'd settle for normal.

Major League Baseball already bailed these fools out of one bad situation.....in Montreal.....how many more times will they before they just raise their hands and say enough.

 

They are not South Florida's team to be d*ck*d around with and disrespected by all (yes, I'm including fans who demand top-flight service at cheap prices here).

Speaking for myself, I am not paying cheap prices and as for "top-flight service"...I'd settle for normal.

 

 

Marlins tickets aren't cheap anymore.

You can. It's called re-financing, dummy. And in the case of their lease at Dolphins Stadium, there are absolutly no penalties for leaving at the end of each term (season).

 

I'm not pro-ownership. I respect power, I guess, but it's that their arguments make a whole lot more sense and they have far much more at stake than other potential parties that may deserve support. And in my experience, fan movements have either fallen flat on their face or been take over by zealots.

 

That was a pretty solid bet when you have the controlling power of your industry on your side, and the competition between potential owners and host cities increasing their offers daily.

 

 

They are not South Florida's team to be d*ck*d around with and disrespected by all (yes, I'm including fans who demand top-flight service at cheap prices here).

Speaking for myself, I am not paying cheap prices and as for "top-flight service"...I'd settle for normal.

Marlins tickets aren't cheap anymore.

Never been to the northeast, have you?

I have never heard of re-financing a lease. If you buy a house or building you can re-finance.

 

You can. It's called re-financing, dummy. And in the case of their lease at Dolphins Stadium, there are absolutly no penalties for leaving at the end of each term (season).

 

I'm not pro-ownership. I respect power, I guess, but it's that their arguments make a whole lot more sense and they have far much more at stake than other potential parties that may deserve support. And in my experience, fan movements have either fallen flat on their face or been take over by zealots.

 

That was a pretty solid bet when you have the controlling power of your industry on your side, and the competition between potential owners and host cities increasing their offers daily.

 

 

 

They are not South Florida's team to be d*ck*d around with and disrespected by all (yes, I'm including fans who demand top-flight service at cheap prices here).

Speaking for myself, I am not paying cheap prices and as for "top-flight service"...I'd settle for normal.

Marlins tickets aren't cheap anymore.

Never been to the northeast, have you?

 

what does that mean?

It depends where you're sitting. If you like good seats, they are not cheap.

Ticket prices won't go down just because the Marlins are fielding the worst team in the majors either.