The appropriate thing to do is to invest some of the profits from revenue sharing into finalizing a deal for a stadium. It's called making an investment for future profits. You can't expect to increase profits without making any initial investments. It just doesn't work that way. If their profits in 2006 were around $40 million (probably about the same in 07 with the money from mlb.com) then a reasonable and intelligent businessman would take that opportunity to use revenue sharing money to increase non-revenue sharing profits by investing in a stadium.

 

This additional investment would essentially come from MLB. They're not even willing to do that. They're not acting in good faith here. And that is probably why MLB is unwilling to further subsidize the Marlins so they can get a new stadium.

While that sounds perfect, I'd be concerned hampening future profits and resale value by increasing their contribution. Especially if fears that the Orange Bowl location will not generate expected revenues. A quick fix that isn't a fix at all is a waste of money, worse - it may bite you in the ass later.

It can't be any worse than the situation the team is in right now. It would be an upgrade, regardless.

It just seems that everyone wants guarantees. Somewhere there must be a leap of faith and a loosening of the purse strings or it will never happen. If the marlins have such little faith in their future, then how can they convince the city and'or state to also consider a positive future.

It can't be any worse than the situation the team is in right now. It would be an upgrade, regardless.

An upgrade will eventually come anyways. A marginally better situation for the next 30 years may not be worth losing out on a significantly better situation for 30 years 2 years from now. BTW, that goes for the city and county as well as the team.

The franchise wants as much free money as possible. That's what it boils down to.

MLB and its owners wouldn't have it any other way. Loia is just one of those 30 right now. And any one who would replace him would have to be accepted into their ranks.

 

Honestly, if you were in their position, would you do it any differently? Look at the press they're receiving around the league. The Marlins' situation doesn't even register a blip. Even when it or the Royals or Pirates does, MLB receives a fraction of the blame. And when your investments are growing and growing, why even stop to consider the thoughts of us, fans of the Marlins or anything but their bottomline and keeping the boys' club intact?

I honestly would do it differently. I would make that investment because I would understand that it would make the team more profitable over the long run. We're talking an additional $30 million spread out over 30 years. That investment would increase profits substantially. It's a worthwhile investment from a cash flow perspective. Add in the increased value of the franchise and we're looking at an even much larger profit. From a business perspective, you try to work out the best possible deal, but at this point it's clear that they're not going to get more from the city or the county, so you make your necessary investment. At best, the only thing the Marlins can hope for is that some other city will poney up the entire cost of a stadium, and that scenario is very unlikely, given the financial and fiscal problems many cities and counties across the country are facing. They're simply not going to give you so much free money. The Marlins stopped wooing other cities because they understand this.

Well, congratulations. I expect MLB believes the city and county will cave in to a better deal.

Congratulations, you're a supporter of corporate welfare! :thumbup

If it's there for the taking, you'd be stupid to pass it up.