May 11, 200620 yr San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now By Carlos Fr?as Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Thursday, May 11, 2006 The Marlins won't be moving to San Antonio, at least not any time soon. Officials in Bexar County, Texas, had set a May 15 deadline for the Marlins to pledge a move west. But the team this week declined to meet the deadline, saying its preference was to work out a deal in South Florida, according to a San Antonio official. "Major League Baseball wants them to exhaust all the possibilities in South Florida. That's what the Marlins indicated they want to do. That's their preference," Bexar County Commissioner Lyle Larson said Wednesday. The Marlins made the decision despite a recent setback in their quest for money to build a South Florida stadium. Friday night, with less than half an hour before the end of the 2006 legislative session, the Florida Senate passed a bill to give the Marlins $60 million in subsidies to help build a stadium. But as the clock struck midnight, the session ended before the House could vote on the bill. Judge Nelson Wolff, who presides over the Bexar County Commission, spoke with Marlins President David Samson after the no-vote and Samson said they still were intent on working out a deal in South Florida, Larson said. San Antonio, which has failed to land baseball and football teams in the past, again feels like it has been rejected, Larson said. "We're going to stop courting them for now," Larson said. "As in a classic courtship, we're hurt and they're getting what they want." Wolff wanted a written commitment from the Marlins by May 15, expressing their intention to move if voters in November approve $200 million in rental car and hotel taxes to help build a stadium. Wolff did not return calls Wednesday and a Marlins spokesman said the team had no comment. South Florida leaders hoping to work out a deal with the Marlins remain confident, despite the recent failure in Tallahassee. Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, who approached the Marlins about building a stadium in his city on land east of Florida's Turnpike, said he was told there were sufficient votes in the House to pass the bill. That legislation would have offered up to $60 million in subsidies to the Marlins and Florida's eight other professional teams. The Marlins remain at least $100 million short of the $420 million the team says it needs to build a retractable roof stadium, although recent cost estimates have the project reaching $500 million. Robaina said they will eventually need that $60 million commitment from the state for the deal to happen. "I think our doors are open for next year," Robaina said. "It's important to have that component. I wish we had it today. I'm sure we'll get it next year." Bexar County's Larson said the courtship of the Marlins is "definitely over this year," but San Antonio will reconsider the Marlins' interest if a deal reaches an impasse in South Florida. "I don't think that door is closed completely," Larson said. Link Interesting quote about the Marlins getting what they want.
May 11, 200620 yr Bye! *waves* For those keeping score at home. Miami Hialeah San Antonio Portland Charlotte Las Vegas Norfolk Oklahoma City
May 11, 200620 yr It's about bloody time they got around to saying what almost everyone knew was coming. Larsen is such a putz, making us look like a bunch of whiners.
May 11, 200620 yr This article was very interesting. Everyone is reporting how the stadium is going to be built and that they have all the money and that Robaina has stated that it will be done this month, etc. This new article says that they absolutely need state money.
May 11, 200620 yr Bye! *waves* For those keeping score at home. Miami Hialeah San Antonio Portland Charlotte Las Vegas Norfolk Oklahoma City :lol :lol :lol
May 11, 200620 yr This article was very interesting. Everyone is reporting how the stadium is going to be built and that they have all the money and that Robaina has stated that it will be done this month, etc. This new article says that they absolutely need state money. The guy who wrote the article says they absolutely need state money. Robaina didn't say that. He said they're going back next year.
May 11, 200620 yr Bye! *waves* For those keeping score at home. Miami Hialeah San Antonio Portland Charlotte Las Vegas Norfolk Oklahoma City In the end, I hope the Marlins win.
May 11, 200620 yr Bye! *waves* For those keeping score at home. Miami Hialeah San Antonio Portland Charlotte Las Vegas Norfolk Oklahoma City In the end, I hope the Marlins win.
May 11, 200620 yr Bye! *waves* For those keeping score at home. Miami Hialeah San Antonio Portland Charlotte Las Vegas Norfolk Oklahoma City In the end, I hope the Marlins win. The Marlins or Loria?
May 11, 200620 yr They are one and the same until he sells the club. Then it would be the new ownership group.
May 11, 200620 yr Bye! *waves* For those keeping score at home. Miami Hialeah San Antonio Portland Charlotte Las Vegas Norfolk Oklahoma City In the end, I hope the Marlins win. The Marlins or Loria? Good point. I personally think rferry was hired by the FO to get juice from this site. Of course I am kidding.
May 11, 200620 yr In the end, I hope the Marlins win. In the end I hope that Florida's Baseball Fans win. We are the only ones never thought of by anyone and without us this team would not exist.
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