Marlins press conference (big changes coming for Marlins)

[E.J.]

The Marlins' president David Samson just had a press conference at 2 pm ET that was a live feed on marlins.mlb.com in which he said the Marlins have tried and tried to get a new stadium built, but to no avail. There will be no deal in the city of Miami.

 

They then tried to get a deal done elsewhere to start in 2008 in a new stadium. Now it looks like if they do find somewhere to go the earliest will be 2010. The lease at Dolphins' stadium runs out in 2010 and Samson said there was absolutely no way the Marlins would renew the lease to keep playing in Dolphins' stadium. There will be no new stadium in south Florida for the Marlins.

 

Samson said Loria will never sell the Marlins' franchise.

 

Now to the baseball side, the Marlins' will now start having a payroll that reflects the revenue brought in each year. Expect the payroll to go down drastically to around $42-$45 million. :shock:

 

They will continue looking elsewhere to find a place to play. They have permission from MLB to start looking to relocate the team. They can move the team any time after 2007. They need to find a place to play before 2010.

 

Will continue with negotiations with Miami, but time is running out. Most likely the Marlins will be moved by 2010.

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Wow. Sounds like the Marlins are in trouble.

[J.R.]

Big Wayne has effectively banned the Marlins from acquiring a lease extension at Dolphins Stadium, but I saw that as little more than a Loria-orchestrated ploy to generate a sense of urgency in the community.

 

Can't say that I blame them, though; that is a horrible market and a horrible ballpark.

[CubinNY]

Big Wayne has effectively banned the Marlins from acquiring a lease extension at Dolphins Stadium, but I saw that as little more than a Loria-orchestrated ploy to generate a sense of urgency in the community.

 

Can't say that I blame them, though; that is a horrible market and a horrible ballpark.

 

I agree. Having lived in Miami I can tell you that Loria has been trying to do this for a long time. Some in the community, the radio personality Hank Goldberg has been all over Loria for his less than fan friendly ways.

 

In 2003, their World Champoinship year, They didn't even print a media guide or programs in time for opening day.

 

Loria and his son in law have been trying to get the City to pay for a ball park for years.

 

Just one other fun fact from my time in Miami. In 2001 during a game in late August when the team was out almost all of the five or so thousand fans started chanting, "Less go Jankees" every time the Yankees score came up on the board. IIRC, the Marlins where playing the Dodgers that night.

[wolf stansson]

Las Vegas?

[CuseCubFan69]

Las Vegas?

 

Isn't it hot in Vegas in the summer? Isn't that one of the excuses they use in Florida on why the fans don't go to the games?

[Balsa]

I bet it's Seattle or Tennessee.

[erik316wttn]

Las Vegas?

 

Isn't it hot in Vegas in the summer? Isn't that one of the excuses they use in Florida on why the fans don't go to the games?

 

1) Any Vegas stadium would have to be a domed/retractable roof stadium.

 

2) There will never, ever, EVER be an MLB team in Vegas in our lifetimes. Even if you ban gambling on the home teams games, there is still far too much room for funny business. You'd have to ban gambling on MLB, period, and that isn't happening.

[imb]

Come to OKC so I can see Miggy and Dontrelle play all the time.

[adamb0719]

Didn't he say they were going to try to stay in South Florida?

[CuseCubFan69]

Didn't he say they were going to try to stay in South Florida?

 

I think it depend$ on on how much the $tate wants the Fi$h to remain in Florida.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Charlotte.

[SouthSideRyan]

I hate Loria...so much.

[treebird]

vegas vegas vegas vegas vegas

[goonys evil twin]

vegas vegas vegas vegas vegas

 

My attendance at Cubs road games will surely double.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I bet it's Seattle or Tennessee.

 

There's already a team in Seattle. I don't think a second would go over all that well.

 

My guess is Orlando. Sure, awfully close to Tampa, but the tourists alone should keep the stadium full throughout the season.

[CubRock2]

Charlotte.

 

I lived in NC for a year, and even though the NHL in Raleigh is a monumental failure, I wouldn't be surprised to see the MLB put a franchise there. The southern fanbase is strong, and would have only ATL to compete with. The Carolinas have a strong baseball tradition near the Coast, Piedmont and Lowlands. I think a ballclub - with solid talent like FLA currently has - would be very, very viable.

 

Don't forget that FLA also has a strong following in NC. The Mudcats are in Zebulon (near Raleigh), and a lot of people love Dontrelle and Miggy.

 

Plus, the Bulls are wonderfully popular, and the Charlotte Knights (Sox AAA team) has decent attendence considering the crap that's run through their farm system the last few years.

 

Carolina Baseball would work.

[YearofDaCubs]

Oh well at least they have 2 WS in 10 years. I wish I could say the same about the Cubs.

[mhuber92211]

Portland, OR. The mascot would even still fit somewhat.

[JC]

vegas vegas vegas vegas vegas

 

My attendance at Cubs road games will surely double.

 

Which would, in turn, provide the additional benefit of reducing your frighteningly large losses at the craps table.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Can you imagine the off the field distractions in Las Vegas? 8) Put them in the NL Central, please.

[Guest]

A little tip for all markets with an MLB franchise: If you want to keep your team, pray it is never owned by Jeffrey Loria.

[JC]

A little tip for all markets with an MLB franchise: If you want to keep your team, pray it is never owned by Jeffrey Loria.

 

Its really stunning how terrible MLB is at bringing in quality ownership. Granted, Loria came on board with the hapless Expos whom nobody wanted and MLB was desperate for an owner, but contraction would have been a better option. Then, you have the more recent failure in ownership selection by the clown who bought the Dodgers. Luckily, they seemingly struck gold with Moreno. But, he is not without his detractors as he makes his enemies in the Anaheim area.

 

I honestly get amazed every time I think about how rich the owners are with some of the god awful decisions they have made over the years.

[Tim]

Can you imagine the off the field distractions in Las Vegas? 8) Put them in the NL Central, please.

If they move to Vegas, what are the chances they sign Farnsy for closer? :D

[JC]

Can you imagine the off the field distractions in Las Vegas? 8) Put them in the NL Central, please.

If they move to Vegas, what are the chances they sign Farnsy for closer? :D

 

With Furcal as his private driver.

[shnsajax]

I still think San Antonio would be a good place for a baseball team. The Saints have had a very good showing so far there and the Spurs are maybe the best runned organization in all of sports (I realize very different owners). Given the very large Latin and Hispanic market in the region I don't see why they couldn't fill 35,000 on a regular basis. The city want more professional sports involved, and I think would be more than willing to participate.