Forget about a new stadium; buy Pro Player

Published September 7, 2003

 

 

The latest Marlins owners don't want to talk about their plans/pipe dreams for a new stadium, not wanting to detract from the feel-good story that keeps unfolding on the field. It's a smart move because the team everyone loves to keep at arm's distance can't afford to alienate the few loyal fans left.

 

Now is not the time for expensive wishes or extortionist threats. Now is the time to simply enjoy a pennant race and a team that's easy to root for.

 

But the future of baseball in South Florida hangs over this franchise as much as the lamentable past. It's a big reason why there were so few fans in the stands the other day you could actually hear the Velcro of a player's batting glove being ripped open at the plate.

 

Nobody knows or trusts what's next. The Marlins could win the World Series this year and the whole team could be gone the next. We know this from experience.

 

And the talk of spending mega-millions in public money to build a retractable-roof stadium for rich owners and players is just as distasteful. Building a stadium in downtown Miami, far from the fan base in Broward and southern Palm Beach counties, makes little sense. It's sheer fallacy (and lunacy) to think enough people would show up to make the exorbitant price tag -- more than $400 million -- worth it.

 

For a long time, the best option seemed waving goodbye.

 

But as I sat in the stadium they've called home since their 1993 debut, nursing a cold beer and cheering another win on Thursday, I wondered whether there was a way to make this work.

 

The more I think about it, the more I question whether they really need a new stadium. The stadium Joe Robbie built can be a place where the team thrives. Forget what anyone says. This isn't about a roof or air-conditioning. This is about money.

 

My pitch: Marlins owner Jeff Loria, with an assist from Broward and Miami-Dade counties, should buy Pro Player Stadium from H. Wayne Huizenga.

 

In the long run, it would be cheaper and better than building a fancy new playpen, and it could work for everyone.

 

As renters, the Marlins don't get much of the stadium's revenue. But if the team owned the stadium, it could generate the cash it needed. With some long-term stability, the Marlins might be able to fill seats again. As much as people like to bad-mouth the place as a baseball facility, it's not that bad. It's modern, centrally located and has plenty of parking.

 

My deal: $200 million, with the Marlins contributing $100 million and the two counties $50 million each. (As much as I hate the concept of spending one public dime on this, I'll rationalize it by saying if we can keep wasting millions on Miriam Oliphant's office, we can burn some money on this.)

 

The Dolphins would be allowed to play at the stadium rent-free for as long as the Huizenga family owned the team, keeping all parking and concession revenues from football game days.

 

The Marlins would get the proceeds from all other stadium events, and the team and counties could work out a formula for luxury box revenue when the stadium's construction debt is retired.

 

Why would Huizenga go for it? It could help his sports legacy, which soured after he decimated the Marlins after winning the 1997 World Series. Economically, it can make sense, too.

 

Selling assets now could make his estate planning easier. Huizenga, 65, is pulling back from his businesses, spending more time at his North Carolina home.

 

Huizenga once said money is the way he keeps score, and the ledger would look pretty good on this deal. He got the Dolphins and stadium from the Robbie family for about $150 million in a two-part transaction in 1990 and 1994. He said he has put $80 million into the stadium since.

 

So he could get $200 million of that $230 million back in one fell swoop, and still own the Dolphins, a team worth well over $400 million.

 

Can the Marlins afford $100 million? Who knows. Would the public stand for putting money in Huizenga's pocket? Who knows.

 

But if you think baseball is worth saving locally, this would beat the alternatives.

 

Michael Mayo's column is published Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. He can be reached at [email protected] or 954-356-4508.

ooooooooookay

JBurque, is that sarcastic or agreeing?

it doesnt sound like a bad idea. my concern was would this put Hyzenga and the Dolphins in the same situation the Marlins are in until i read that they would play their rent free and get all the concessions and parking for their games.

 

i think i remember the Marlins were willing to contribute a $100 million for a new one so i dont know why they wouldnt for Pro Player. i like the Pro, the area and the stadium itself including for baseball. although a retractable roof would have to be eventually added. if it works and everybody is willing to contribute including Wayne, than i say go for it

The Pro is great. The Marlins dont make anything of it, and that is why we are going to lose three or four good players after this season!

A brilliant idea if I do say so myself. I've been saying here for months the Miami-Dade ought to be buy back the stadium. I like the idea of Broward joining in too. The only fly in the ointment is how to pay for a roof, someone has to because you'll never make baseball a success down here until families can know ahead of time they can go to games rain or shine.

Wow, Good posting. I just can't believe common sense would overcome Wayne's greed. He may be 65 and cutting back but his ego still delights in getting the best of a negotiation. (Wish we had a viable alternative so we could turn the screws on him.) He is not about to let the Marlins go elsewhere. He loves to slop in the good gravy John Henry gave him.

A brilliant idea if I do say so myself. I've been saying here for months the Miami-Dade ought to be buy back the stadium. I like the idea of Broward joining in too. The only fly in the ointment is how to pay for a roof, someone has to because you'll never make baseball a success down here until families can know ahead of time they can go to games rain or shine.

i dont believe the county ever owned the stadium. Joe Robbie built it

Miami Dade County owns the land.

 

Joe robbie built it, Huizeinga owns it.

 

The Marlins have made the most they could, Huizienga has restrictions on sinage, promotions, etc.

Thank you for correcting my poor phraseology. Yes in fact the county owns the property on which PPS is built. In "buying back" the stadium (and yes it was a poor choice of words) I simply meant acquire rather than reacquire, but otherwise to unify the title of the two existing entities.

I am not convinced that JRS would be a good fit for a baseball stadium - it is hard for many to get to games just because of traffic and staring down a long drive is not going to make them run out and go. The Marlins need to pick a market and stick with it - bring it to Miami or north to Broward. This idea would save money, but it very, very unlikely to happen because the Marlins could feasibly contribute the same money for a brand new stadium, located where it wants, and own it as well. Huizenga should make this deal happen because a football-only stadium, privately owned, is a bad business move. He knows that. The Marlins have the upper hand here...

I am not convinced that JRS would be a good fit for a baseball stadium - it is hard for many to get to games just because of traffic and staring down a long drive is not going to make them run out and go. The Marlins need to pick a market and stick with it - bring it to Miami or north to Broward. This idea would save money, but it very, very unlikely to happen because the Marlins could feasibly contribute the same money for a brand new stadium, located where it wants, and own it as well. Huizenga should make this deal happen because a football-only stadium, privately owned, is a bad business move. He knows that. The Marlins have the upper hand here...

jonny, Miami-Dade County has to pay the City of Miami Beach $50 million if a deal for a new stadium doesn't happen this year. That's 25% of $200 million right there.

 

Just a little heads up.

thanks for the correction cape.

Its a good Idea to buy it but PPS is getting old and dirty. I think we should try and negotiate to see if we can get a new stadium but if that fails then buying PPS wont be too bad.

Its a good Idea to buy it but PPS is getting old and dirty. I think we should try and negotiate to see if we can get a new stadium but if that fails then buying PPS wont be too bad.

how is it getting old? its around 16 years old. do you suggest a new building every 20 years?

JBurque, is that sarcastic or agreeing?

A little of both actually. I like the idea and fiscally it makes sense.

 

The ooooooookay part is for believing Wayne would go for any of it.

 

But, if the article is true in its writings that HWH wants to step back from some of his interests, this is a great place to start.

Even though Canadians won't admit it, SkyDome is a multipurpose stadium like PPS.

The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), The Toronto Argonauts (CFL), and even the Raptors (NBA) used to play there. It is similar to PPS, but without the roof and without real grass I was told.

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/al/Skydome.htm

http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/skydom.htm

http://www.sfo.com/~csuppes/CFL/Toronto/index.htm

 

 

http://www.skydome.com/ has 360 tours of the SkyDome for both baseball and football I believe.

Its a good Idea to buy it but PPS is getting old and dirty. I think we should try and negotiate to see if we can get a new stadium but if that fails then buying PPS wont be too bad.

Pro Player Stadium is nowhere near being an old stadium. I also disagree with it being dirty,in my opinion,the stadium is also quite clean.......The restrooms are espicially clean and tidy(For restrooms at least.). I think you may be confusing Pro Player with Shea Stadium(Now that's old and dirty.).

the one thing i dont like about this plan is that it would mean the Dolphins and Marlins sharing the stadium for a very long time. i hate the sight of that infield during football season, it can cause injuries and it just doesnt look good. and also the field getting torn up by the football games isnt good for baseball.

how is it getting old? its around 16 years old. do you suggest a new building every 20 years?

:lol ummm nooo....

 

Well from the outside it looks old and dirty, inside is very clean but i think we should try and get a new stadium and put this as our back up.

i think we should try and get a new stadium and put this as our back up.

that i agree with

...i hate the sight of that infield during football season...just doesnt look good.

what's worse is a baseball diamond with no one playing on it. Any deal that brings the Marlins parking and concession revenue and a reasonable rent moves the team forward.

As long as the Marlins get in better financial ground, we are doing well. The entire reason for the new ballpark was that. The roof was supposed to help bring more people, but with more money, you can build a winning team for a long time and build a good fan base. The stadium allowing you to make money is the key.

PPS is a monster, but as long as the Marlins survive, I don't care!

I still believe in renovating the Orange Bowl into a joint football/baseball facility for the Marlins. They can play several seasons there while pursuing another Stadium in the area. The Organization can get revenue from parking and concessions and If the attendance figures look good then build the new ballpark by the Miami River. The only problems that may need to be dealt with are the parking situation and conflicts with the Hurricanes schedule.