Interesting quotes here in a 1993 article where first owner Wayne Huizenga says he had the Marlins as a way to make money. Not often does an owner flat out say that up front...

 

"If I thought for a minute I couldn't make money on this, I wouldn't do it," Huizenga said.

 

 

 

He wants the Marlins to win. But more importantly, Huizenga wants the Marlins to make money.

 

Unlike some rich men who buy pro sports franchises to fulfill a lifelong dream, or for some expensive hobby or to become an instant celebrity, Huizenga, 55, harbors no illusions. Baseball, like his other enterprises, is a business, pure and simple.

 

"I am not a hobbyist," he says bluntly. Indeed, he calls his collection of vintage cars, "a business investment."

 

 

 

Huizenga says he will be patient at first, but make no mistake-he expects the team eventually to win. He isn't used to losing and won't tolerate it.

 

"Ask me if I'm still patient in five years," he said.

 

By then, Huizenga expects to be winning in every facet of this game. When asked whether he would rather win the World Series but see the team lose money, or be an also-ran and make money, Huizenga leaned forward.

 

"I'd rather do both," he said. "It's not an either-or. To be a good businessman, you have to put out a good product. If the product is good, and we win the World Series, everyone makes money."

 

For Huizenga, that's always the bottom line.

 

The quote about "ask me...in five years" is pretty damn fascinating looking back now. Basically predicted the fire sale since they won but weren't making money even with a championship.

 

Here's the full article...

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-04-04/sports/9304050087_1_marlins-owner-president-of-huizenga-holdings-florida-marlins

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-04-04/sports/9304050087_1_marlins-owner-president-of-huizenga-holdings-florida-marlins/2

 

 

you'd think he'd have made enough with the rewind fees alone to support the team

 

 

Nope nope nope only Loria would ever put profit before on-field product right? Nope nope nope fake article fake news

 

 

Not sure the context, but I would guess at the time there were questions about whether the team could be profitable. I doubt anyone volunteers that information out of nowhere. There has to be a reason.

 

And I'm not a Wayne fan whatsoever.

 

 

What am I missing? He wanted to make money. Any one of us here on the boards want to LOSE money?  I can say no for me. I don't fault him a bit for this.

 

 

What am I missing? He wanted to make money. Any one of us here on the boards want to LOSE money?  I can say no for me. I don't fault him a bit for this.

 

I think it's more that he flat out said it and made it seem like priority number one and they were also comparing it to some other owners who buy sports teams for fun. Plus I thought it was very much foreshadowing the 1997 fire sale. 

 

 

In other news, it’s cold in Canada. 

 

 

In other news, it’s cold in Canada. 

 

Fake News!  Haven't you heard of Global Warming?  LOL

 

 

I just like a honest man.