If it came down to one more year or two more years at DS Huipinga will allow them to stay. I guarantee you that MLB and the Marlins could file an injunction to make sure the Marlins can stay there as long as its temporary and a stadium is already being built and insight.

 

I unfortunately agree with Festa in that its only a matter of time before MLB and the Marlins get tired of the bull sh*t and leave.

The County Commission controls the Dolphin Stadium site as it is county-owned land. If the Marlins leave, the could re-enact the prohibition on the site to limit it to football-only events.

Hats off to those commissoners, I am with them. I am still having nightmares from having to go downtown for Panther games when they were in the Miami Arena.

 

 

I'm sure as many other people did. However all of those same people didn't follow them to Sunrise where thier "supposed" fanbase was located. Another brilliant decision by Wayne might I add...

Oktoberfest you're missing the point though. A new stadium (roof) plus a competitive product on the field in Downtown Miami WILL NOT finish 29th and 30th in attendance. Look at the Heat and Panthers when they did the same. They routinely played in front of capacity crowds downtown. No competitive team in the new-ballpark era has drawn poorly with a new ballpark.

 

Orlando is a minor league market when it comes to professional baseball.

Jetsmania, I hardly believe that you speak for 95% of the fans. In fact, I can't believe you would assume anything so preposterous. You certainly don't speak for me. The Marlins would still be your home team, and not supporting them because they move a couple of hours to the north would be ridiculous.

 

 

Festa, as you say "No competitive team in the new-ballpark era has drawn poorly with a new ballpark." The same would apply with Orlando, and I disagree with your belief that Orlando is a minor league market. Please support this claim. Everything I have posted has shown that Orlando is capable of supporting the Marlins-something the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area hasn't done in 14 years.

Festa, as you say "No competitive team in the new-ballpark era has drawn poorly with a new ballpark." The same would apply with Orlando, and I disagree with your belief that Orlando is a minor league market. Please support this claim. Everything I have posted has shown that Orlando is capable of supporting the Marlins-something the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area hasn't done in 14 years.

It would help if Orlando's dominant cable company had carried FSN Florida, home of our state's 2 baseball teams, since FSN started airing baseball in 1997. That's right...over 10 years of no baseball on TV in Orlando unless it is national television or Rays games on ION.

If they move to Vegas, they're will be no season ticket holders.

If they move to Vegas, they're will be no season ticket holders.

There would be......just that they would be companies instead of people and therefore seats would be empty.

Jetsmania, I hardly believe that you speak for 95% of the fans. In fact, I can't believe you would assume anything so preposterous. You certainly don't speak for me. The Marlins would still be your home team, and not supporting them because they move a couple of hours to the north would be ridiculous.

 

 

Festa, as you say "No competitive team in the new-ballpark era has drawn poorly with a new ballpark." The same would apply with Orlando, and I disagree with your belief that Orlando is a minor league market. Please support this claim. Everything I have posted has shown that Orlando is capable of supporting the Marlins-something the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area hasn't done in 14 years.

 

Oh really? You think people in miami would still be a fan of a team that left them to play in another city 3.5 hours away? Why would I be a fan of a team that left me? You are crazy if you think so.

 

Its already been shown that orlando wouldnt be an improvent over the miami area. They just had a 3 game series in orlando and they didnt sell out the 9,000 seat stadium. You say that people can just drive to tampa to watch the drays rather than pay more to watch it in orlando. Then why wouldnt they just do that if the marlins moved to orlando? The magic are the only professional team in the area, and they cant sell out their arena on a consistent basis. There is also a smaller tv market in orlando, so the marlins wouldnt gain anything to be there.

If they move to Vegas, they're will be no season ticket holders.

There would be......just that they would be companies instead of people and therefore seats would be empty.

 

Las Vegas has a population of about 1.2 million. I am sure some of them would get tickets.

Las Vegas is on the verge of losing their minor league team. MLB doesn't like the town and the owners of 6 teams have nixed the deal.

 

Next!

Las Vegas is on the verge of losing their minor league team. MLB doesn't like the town and the owners of 6 teams have nixed the deal.

 

Next!

 

 

Good! As long as there really isnt a viable alternative, I like the marlins chance of staying in dade county.

Orlando

 

Population: 1.9 million (2.6M if you include the Space Coast)

Fortune 1000 companies: 3 (4 if you include the Space Coast)

 

Miami-FTL

 

Population: 4.15 million (5.4 million if you include WPB)

Fortune 1000 companies: 9 (11 if you include WPB)

 

Tampa Bay

 

Population: 4 million

Fortune 1000 companies: 7

 

Orlando may be bigger than a few of the charter members of the AL and NL but the league is not in the business of expanding or relocating into metro areas that are only the 3rd or 4th biggest in a state. Especially when there is a team an hour away and a half away in Tampa.

 

 

 

The Marlins drew very well before the 1997 firesale and were on the way after the 2003 season.

If they move to Vegas, they're will be no season ticket holders.

 

 

 

Right because no one who LIVES (yes people live in Las Vegas, lots of them)in Las Vegas is a baseball fan and would buy season tickets.

 

 

So I wonder what Greg Stoda or Dave George :call will have to say tomorrow explaining how the Herald has it wrong and Wayne should be considered for sainthood. He only wants what's best for you.

So I wonder what Greg Stoda or Dave George :call will have to say tomorrow explaining how the Herald has it wrong and Wayne should considered for sainthood. He only wants what's best for you.

The Dolphin Politburo has already voted Wayne into sainthood.......and they always want what is best for you.

Depending on tourism solely is obviously not the best case scenerio. The Central Florida community WILL support the Marlins, but the tourism will help build a national (and INTERNATIONAL) fanbase and will help fill seats.

 

A short list of possible relocation cities includes Las Vegas, which will depend greatly on tourism. Yet keeping the Marlins in Florida will allow for more local support than possible in Las Vegas and perhaps a Florida baseball team will elevate themselves above 29th and 30th (second to last and last) in attendance.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attendance

 

Planners with the firm Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin in Orlando evaluated six sites, including the existing Tinker Field, other land around the Citrus Bowl, the current location of Orlando police headquarters, property the city bought several years ago for a new police station and the site that has since been selected for a new Magic arena."

- Orlando Sentinel

 

"Serious talk has been made on bringing Major League Baseball to Orlando. Current mayor Buddy Dyer said he would like to see it in the future. Orlando was a finalist city in the expansion for the 1993 season. Ironically, they were mentioned as a possible destination for one of the 1993 expansion teams, the Florida Marlins, during that team's investigation of new locations should Miami fail to build them a new baseball stadium."

- Wikipedia

 

 

Last year, for braves spring training 150,465 people attended 17 Games at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Braves played exhibitions against the University of Georgia and the Netherlands National team along with 15 games against other MLB opponents in 2006, averaging 8,850 fans per game. The Braves attracted seven sellout crowds of more than 10,000 fans, including a season-best 11,431 during the Braves-New York Yankees game on Mar. 27. The game also marked the highest single-game attendance total since the Braves began spring training at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in 1998. In all, the Braves' record-setting 2006 spring training season included four of the 20 best single-game attendance totals in The Ballpark history.

 

Other top attendance games included: 10,785 (Braves-St. Louis Cardinals, Mar. 12) and 10,710 (Braves-Houston Astros, Mar. 14). The games against the Cardinals and Astros rank as the 12th and 13th best single-game attendance totals, respectively, in Braves spring training history at the Disney sports complex. The 2006 schedule included no rainouts.

 

 

http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dww...danceDetailPage

 

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Good March weather helped spring training attendance in Florida reach a record high for the second straight year in 2007.

 

More than 1.7 million fans saw games at 17 training sites across the state last month, an increase of 112,507 from 2006's record, the Florida Sports Foundation said Friday. There were just three rainouts, all March 16.

 

The New York Yankees led the way with 154,661 fans attending games at their Tampa training site, an average of 10,311 fans. The Atlanta Braves drew 140,034 fans to its spring home at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The Braves and New York Mets attracted the single-game high of 11,591 fans for a March 22 game.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/20...499785912_x.htm

 

Keep in mind that this is still a good distance away from Downtown, and a stadium closer to downtown will open up a much larger market.

 

Orange County leaders who will be asked to approve a $1.1 billion plan for arts and sports venues next month now have another option to consider -- one that includes not only a new basketball arena but a retractable-dome baseball stadium and a grand-prix racetrack.

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/n...story?track=rss

 

That plan is only one on the table, and most likely won't be chosen. Yet ideas like this are very promising and show that Orlando is dedicated to building multiple sports venues in Orlando in addition to the new Magic arena.

 

Let's break this down rationally and like "grown-ups" PUH-LEASE!!!

 

(1) Neither the Marlins nor any other MLB franchise is moving to Las Vegas. MLB will NOT, I repeat NOT allow it. Believe me, I read the actual memorandum that was sent by MLB to the Marlins (back when I worked at the law firm that personally represents Loria and Samson) which PROHIBITED any communications or discussions with the City of Las Vegas for potential relocation. That's a dead horse that should be left alone.

 

(2) Orlando is not a viable MLB market. Haven't we already gone over this when we see that the Magic have one of the worst average attendance in the NBA! And how has 19 years of Magic basketball cultivated an "international fan base" from tourists!?!? Plus, you're using as "sources" Wikipedia, which is as reliable and accurate as THIS message board! Geez, as my six year old daughter would say, "Whatevah!"

 

There is nothing new here folks. I told you all that UM was holding things up. Now if you want to believe Wayne's hand is in it.....please do...as it likely is. However, MLB and the Marlins are unable to leave because there is no viable market for baseball open right now. Las Vegas and San Antonio are off limits as other MLB owners have vetoed the idea of having their television territory trampled on.

 

The ballpark has to be under construction by early 2008. The issue is UM. The City should place a deadline on UM to make a decision to exit the lease, take the OB plan the City has offered, or stay the rest of their lease at the OB as-is. Will the City do that? We shall see.

 

As for the Marlins, Samson said October/November would be the time he would expect deal-finishing. MLB is now handling the ballpark talks and they are only in July. So to meet Samson's goal (which is basically the 11th hour for a safe 2011 open) they have to restart these talks by August.

 

However, if the ballpark opens mid-2011 (say in June or July) the Marlins will likely play on the road until the facility opens and then have an unbalanced schedule with more home games the rest of that season.

 

The Braves and Expos both did it in the past, it doesn't kill anyone.

 

And then we had this "gem"!

 

I don't know who "vetoed" anything regarding Las Vegas or San Antonio, or whether teams have that veto power. If MLB has its sight set on relocation, it's going to happen and there isn't a damn thing any other owner is going to do about it. However, Las Vegas is off limits and the reason is NOT broadcast rights.

 

Also, there is NO way you're going to have a major league baseball team open the season with three months worth of road games! That's as ludicrous as a four man pitching rotation! Odds are, if we're in that predicament in 2011, the Marlins would stay at Dolphin Stadium until the All-Star Break and then move downtown. That's how it's been done in other ballparks and Huizenga gets a half-way settlement as the infield will be gone by July. I wouldn't be surprised if they settle on some form of temporary solution at Roger Dean Stadium if push comes to shove.

 

So I wonder what Greg Stoda or Dave George will have to say tomorrow explaining how the Herald has it wrong and Wayne should be considered for sainthood. He only wants what's best for you.

 

Neither one of those two idiots would know what to write! You're actually assuming they use their brains for expert analysis or at least cogent opinion! They're probably going to just write another useless column about Dontrelle Willis being traded or another inane Daunte Culpepper column!

And then we had this "gem"!

 

I don't know who "vetoed" anything regarding Las Vegas or San Antonio, or whether teams have that veto power. If MLB has its sight set on relocation, it's going to happen and there isn't a damn thing any other owner is going to do about it. However, Las Vegas is off limits and the reason is NOT broadcast rights.

Houston's owner has expressedly stated to Major League Baseball that he would not cede San Antonio to any National League or American League franchise that would seek to move there. Now, MLB could take him to court or remove him under "Best Interests of Baseball" but how would the other owners take that? Drayton McLane has a nice contract he fought News Corp for and he isn't going to give it up. Don't forgive Hicks up in Arlington with the Texas Rangers & Dallas Stars contract coming up soon.

 

Las Vegas, if allowed by MLB, would still require that the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks all be compensated for the loss of that market area which they all legally claim right now.

 

If MLB thought moving the Nats to DC and paying off Angelos with MASN was tough, imagine making all those inflated ego owners happy. Not gonna happen. It would be easist to move the team to New Jersey or Brooklyn than get around those other owners. At least Wilpon and Steinbrenner could be eased by splitting the TV rights between them for a good profit.

It's only a matter of time before MLB gives up and Miami loses its baseball team.

 

Those in charge are playing with fire and I'm afraid they're going to get burned sooner rather than later.

I'm afraid you are right

MLB can remove owners if it is the "best interest to baseball"?

 

Makes you wonder why Loria is still our owner.

MLB can remove owners if it is the "best interest to baseball"?

 

Makes you wonder why Loria is still our owner.

 

It's a shame we can't do that here. :mischief2

You are blindly loyal to Loria. I can dig that.

 

Sadly, you and rFerry are about the only two who like the guy.

I'm with you Cape.

 

There is nothing new. We are just waiting for the UM to make up it's mind. Once they do, discussion will begin about the location (OB vs downtown).

 

No time to panic yet.

San Antonio and Portland would (and will, IMO, in 5-10 years) make viable small markets (Vegas and Orlando are not viable for reasons discussed ad nauseam here and elsewhere).

 

South Florida, on the other hand, is a viable midsize market in a strategic location. MLB is very strong financially, and MLB is very patient when it comes to stadiums (look at how long it took the Twins). The Marlins aren't going anywhere, yet. They have at least a five year window to get an agreement in place before anything resembling a viable alternative exists.

 

"We miss field goals in the dirt"? BFD. So do your opponents. Does he honestly think that comment is going to scare the city into making a deal?

San Antonio and Portland would (and will, IMO, in 5-10 years) make viable small markets (Vegas and Orlando are not viable for reasons discussed ad nauseam here and elsewhere).

 

South Florida, on the other hand, is a viable midsize market in a strategic location. MLB is very strong financially, and MLB is very patient when it comes to stadiums (look at how long it took the Twins). The Marlins aren't going anywhere, yet. They have at least a five year window to get an agreement in place before anything resembling a viable alternative exists.

 

"We miss field goals in the dirt"? BFD. So do your opponents. Does he honestly think that comment is going to scare the city into making a deal?

 

If the dolphins could score touchdowns, that wouldnt be a problem