October 27, 200323 yr Bid to work out a stadium deal gets new focus Hoping to capitalize on the momentum of the World Series, the Marlins will intensify discussions to work out a financing deal for a new stadium. BY BARRY JACKSON bjackson@herald.com NEW YORK -- The Marlins' magical run to the World Series championship inspired South Florida and reinvigorated the fan base -- but did it save baseball in South Florida? ''I don't think it was ever in doubt,'' owner Jeffrey Loria said after the Marlins beat the Yankees to win the franchise's second title in six years. Hoping to capitalize on the momentum of the World Series, the Marlins will intensify discussions with Miami-Dade County and city of Miami officials to work out a financing deal for a new stadium, possibly to be built at the Miami Arena site or near it or next to the Orange Bowl. The team's future could be shaped more by the next two months than by the past two. The Marlins lost more than $20 million this season, according to team president David Samson, and the team says it needs a new retractable-roof ballpark because of an onerous lease at Pro Player Stadium and the frequent threat of rain. ''I'm cautiously optimistic'' about a new stadium, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said as he left Yankee Stadium after Game 6. ``The stadium deal is still a business deal. It's not an easy business deal, and it will take some time to put the whole deal together. There are pieces that need to start falling into place little by little. ``But does this help save baseball in South Florida? Absolutely. Baseball was talking about eliminating this team two years ago, and now they're world champs. This gives us a lot to work with.'' A LONG WAY The Marlins have come a long way since 2000, when they were mentioned as a candidate for contraction, baseball's unsuccessful attempt to eliminate two teams. Under the new labor agreement, no teams can be purged through 2006. ''We've obviously given South Florida a huge lift,'' said backup catcher Mike Redmond, who has been with the team since 1998. ``Everyone knows we need to get a new stadium, and this can only help. This has rejuvenated baseball in Miami.'' Through an aggressive marketing effort, the Marlins attracted several new sponsors for 2003 and boosted their season-ticket sales from 4,000 in 2002 to 5,500 this past season, according to a Marlins official. Even though they had the third-worst attendance in baseball during the regular season with an average of 16,290 per game, they packed more than 60,000 into Pro Player Stadium eight times during the playoffs. ''If this doesn't save baseball, there isn't much more you can do,'' first baseman Derrek Lee said. A LOT MORE Actually, there's a lot more the Marlins want to do. ''This has helped them tremendously,'' baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. But . . . ``They need a stadium.'' What's questionable is whether winning a World Series prompts politicians to make more public funds available. Diaz says it doesn't. Miami City Manager Joe Arriola said the city does not have much funding to offer. One option to produce revenue would be creating a tax increment financing district around the proposed ballpark, according to Otto Boudet, Diaz's senior advisor for economic development. Creating that district would allow taxes from that area to be used for stadium development. Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, an advocate of a new stadium, said the county might offer revenue from a convention development tax, $50 million of which will go to the city of Miami Beach if it's not pledged to a new stadium by Dec. 1. The tax is a 3 percent surcharge the county levies on revenue earned from events at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and Miami Beach has discussed using the money to expand the convention center. Either way, the Marlins will be asked to provide the bulk of financing for a project that could cost $350 million. The Marlins are reluctant to commit much of their future stadium revenues toward financing costs but probably will need to do that to get a deal done. The quandary facing Loria -- one he has declined to discuss -- is whether he wants to use his financial resources to build a stadium or keep most of the current team together. Either of those would be a huge financial burden for an owner who, unlike Heat owner Micky Arison and Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga, isn't listed among the wealthiest Americans. Although the Marlins' payroll was a modest $52.5 million this season, it likely will take $90 million to keep everybody. ''What Jeffrey Loria and David Samson have done is put a competitive team on the field, to give them a world championship, and hopefully it will end up giving them a stadium that will reap the economic benefits and rewards that they deserve and allow baseball to continue in South Florida,'' Robert DuPuy, Major League Baseball's president, said in a delirious Marlins clubhouse after their World Series win. A PRIORITY Loria, who bought the team in February 2002, is believed to have made building a stadium a priority. That means the Marlins almost certainly will be unable to keep some of their most expensive players. Two of the candidates likely to go elsewhere are second baseman Luis Castillo and catcher Ivan Rodriguez, both of whom could command $7 million or more annually as free agents. However, dismantling the roster like previous owner Huizenga did after the 1997 championship would alienate the fan base this ownership has worked so hard to embrace. Loria has declined to discuss next year's roster, but Diaz, who has spent time with Loria during the World Series, said, ``Every indication I've gotten from him and all involved in management is they want to hold this team together.'' The Marlins already have begun selling 2004 season tickets, with prices unchanged from this year. Sean Flynn, the team's vice president for marketing, said a full season-ticket campaign will begin within three weeks and the Marlins will send mailings to everyone who bought a ticket to a home playoff game. Most teams receive an attendance spike after winning the World Series, and the Marlins would be disappointed if crowds don't increase next season. The Marlins' attendance dropped off in 1998, after the offseason dismantling. ''There are always more steps that need to be taken, but this is definitely a big step in the right direction,'' Marlins outfielder Brian Banks said. ``The fan support increased as the year went along. Keeping the core together is key to building on this momentum.'' Link
October 27, 200323 yr Ok, so question is... Miami Arena or Orange Bowl? I like both locations. Miami Arena seems to be the best though because of Metro Rail advantage.
October 27, 200323 yr i'm still hopeful that they can get it done partly with sponsor money. i'm surprised they haven't mentioned any big sponsors yet... i think it's pretty clear that we'll have fan support for at least a couple years now, so they should really approach the sponsors. obviously the baseball market here isn't like san fran, but i'm still hoping we get something in the ways of 1/2 a pac bell park
October 27, 200323 yr i'm still hopeful that they can get it done partly with sponsor money. i'm surprised they haven't mentioned any big sponsors yet... i think it's pretty clear that we'll have fan support for at least a couple years now, so they should really approach the sponsors. obviously the baseball market here isn't like san fran, but i'm still hoping we get something in the ways of 1/2 a pac bell park Yea about one of those cruise lines? They could sponsor a new stadium
October 27, 200323 yr I hope they Build the stadium closer to Palm Beach! My dad says if the marlins move to downtown miami we can't go to the games anymore They really should think about that, there are alot of Marlins fans in Palm Beach! They are going to loose alot of fans
October 27, 200323 yr They're not gonna lose any fans like that. And if they do, they weren't true fans to begin with.
October 27, 200323 yr I hope they Build the stadium closer to Palm Beach! My dad says if the marlins move to downtown miami we can't go to the games anymore They really should think about that, there are alot of Marlins fans in Palm Beach! They are going to loose alot of fans your dad needs to chill, the drive is only like 15 minutes longer from the north for a night game. for anybody coming from the south, its a lot shorter
October 27, 200323 yr I hope they Build the stadium closer to Palm Beach! My dad says if the marlins move to downtown miami we can't go to the games anymore They really should think about that, there are alot of Marlins fans in Palm Beach! They are going to loose alot of fans the fan base is in Miami. After we won the WS the streets of Miami went crazy. I didn't see the same in Broward or Palm Beach. I'm in Broward, but I have to say that Miami is the best place to build a Stadium at this time.
October 27, 200323 yr Author The Miami Arena would be perfect. It wont be so far and i dont have to drive all the way north to Pro Player! Plus the Metrorail is very close so that gives us an advantage. We need a new stadium for several reasons: We wont have to pay nothing to the Pro Player stadium. Also People compain about the stadium Lights, etc.
October 27, 200323 yr Ramp, you're still a fan. If you're going to quit being a Marlins fan b/c the drive to the stadium is too long for you, then you're not a true fan.
October 27, 200323 yr ::sigh:: What part don't you understand? Geez... Joe Schmoe.....Marlins fan.....living in Boca. Newcaster on TV: The Florida Marlins have a new stadium opening in the Miami Arena in Downtown Miami Joe Schmoe: f*** THE MARLINS! I am not a fan anymore. That drive is too far! I hope they lose all season! Ramp, that's an example of what I am trying to say. If you are a fan of your team, you stay a fan whether you can go to the games or not. If you're like Joe Schmoe, then f*** you and find another team that can please your options.
October 27, 200323 yr I hope they Build the stadium closer to Palm Beach! My dad says if the marlins move to downtown miami we can't go to the games anymore They really should think about that, there are alot of Marlins fans in Palm Beach! They are going to loose alot of fans the fan base is in Miami. After we won the WS the streets of Miami went crazy. I didn't see the same in Broward or Palm Beach. I'm in Broward, but I have to say that Miami is the best place to build a Stadium at this time. yeah, fantastic. now if you can prove to me that those people partying in the street actually bought tickets to games during the season, then you might have a point to make. miami's just as much bandwagon fans as anyone else, if not more. the miami heat's arena is in miami. why are there always empty seats there? the hurricanes football team plays in miami, why can't they sell out the orange bowl unless it's a big game?
October 27, 200323 yr I hope they Build the stadium closer to Palm Beach! My dad says if the marlins move to downtown miami we can't go to the games anymore They really should think about that, there are alot of Marlins fans in Palm Beach! They are going to loose alot of fans the fan base is in Miami. After we won the WS the streets of Miami went crazy. I didn't see the same in Broward or Palm Beach. I'm in Broward, but I have to say that Miami is the best place to build a Stadium at this time. yeah, fantastic. now if you can prove to me that those people partying in the street actually bought tickets to games during the season, then you might have a point to make. miami's just as much bandwagon fans as anyone else, if not more. the miami heat's arena is in miami. why are there always empty seats there? the hurricanes football team plays in miami, why can't they sell out the orange bowl unless it's a big game? the team ownership has been banking on the hispanic community to carry this team ever since they bought the marlins. i don't know if youve ever been to south miami, but its almost as hispanic as hialeah. a downtown stadium or a stadium next to the orange bowl (in little havana, mind you) would be a shorter drive by eons for a weekday night game. if the heat moved to broward, they still wouldnt be able to sell seats.. in fact, i'd say itd probably get harder considering the basketball demographics and the proximity of AAA to the metrorail. and the hurricanes not selling out... cmon, give me a break. have you ever been to a hurricanes game? they aren't in the NFL for christs sakes, they're in the BIG EAST. "hmm, let's see if they can beat temple by SIXTY points today"
October 27, 200323 yr the only college football teams that can consistently sell out are in college towns. miami is so not a college town, and there are plenty of things to do on a saturday. big diff there... in gainesville, every saturday, you have to pick between screwing a cousin or attending a gators game. personally, i don't think its a very tough decision, although i don't exactly know what it's like to live in gainesville and how hot the relatives are there
October 27, 200323 yr yes, because all 90k at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium are from Gainesville. I mean, I'd say 15k are students, another 5-10k live in Gainesville or Alachua County....the rest? From Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and ahem Miami.
October 27, 200323 yr and teams like South Carolina sell out their games even when going 0-11...and trust me, there is plenty to do in Columbia on a Saturday that has nothing to do with college football. Not to mention their biggest rival is about 2 hrs away. Tennessee sells out all 100k+ seats even though they are in the 3rd largest city in the state. I think a lot more has to do with the fact that football (college football) just isnt as big as the NFL in Miami.
October 27, 200323 yr Excuses... Whining.... Moaning.... Everyone will not always be happy. Period. Deal with it. Live with it. Move on. That's called life.
October 27, 200323 yr well whining everywhere except for Furman mostly.... Jesus...always an excuse for everything.
October 27, 200323 yr meh...whining is for p*ssies...I guess we see who the real men are! just playin
October 27, 200323 yr I hope they Build the stadium closer to Palm Beach! My dad says if the marlins move to downtown miami we can't go to the games anymore They really should think about that, there are alot of Marlins fans in Palm Beach! They are going to loose alot of fans the fan base is in Miami. After we won the WS the streets of Miami went crazy. I didn't see the same in Broward or Palm Beach. I'm in Broward, but I have to say that Miami is the best place to build a Stadium at this time. yeah, fantastic. now if you can prove to me that those people partying in the street actually bought tickets to games during the season, then you might have a point to make. miami's just as much bandwagon fans as anyone else, if not more. the miami heat's arena is in miami. why are there always empty seats there? the hurricanes football team plays in miami, why can't they sell out the orange bowl unless it's a big game? Why being so concerned where they build a Stadium? I hope they get one somewhere in South Florida and that's all I care. Maybe I'll have to cut back on games as well depending on location. PPS is almost on my back yard (20-25 minute drives from West Broward). This team NEEDS a new stadium desperately and their options on location are very small. So I say built it by the Orange or the Miami Arena. We all know that Palm Beach and Broward won't get a stadium built. And no, I can't prove that those people partying on the street bought any tickets. However, I would say that 80% of them had some Marlins gear and spent money on something. Drive around Broward, people look to me like I'm crazy for wearing my Marlins gear. And we just won the fricking WS for God's sake.
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