Update: From ESPN's Jayson Stark: " This time the future of the franchise is essentially secure, thanks to the 37,000-seat retractable-dome ballpark that has finally, really, no kidding, for sure, been approved for a 2012 opening."

Update: The Miami City Council approved the ballpark propossal. This clears the way for Miami-Dade County to work on the proposal.

Update: November 21, 2008: Auto-dealer, Norman Braman's lawsuit was dismissed, clearing the way for the Marlins to continue working on their new ballpark. The lawsuit was against a $3 billion public works project that, in addition to the ballpark, also included a tunnel for the Port of Miami, museums park, and a downtown trolley line. Braman argued the project was an "unconstitutional diversion of money intended to cure urban blight and should have been submitted to voters for approval."

Update: The City of Miami has approved this deal with a 4 to 1 vote.

Update: Here is how the $525 million financial breakdown goes: Miami-Dade County will contribute $347 million, mostly from tourist dollars. The City of Miami will pay $23 million, with $10 million going to the demolition of the Orange Bowl. They will also pay $94 million for a new parking ramp. The Marlins will pay $155 million, $120 million up front, with the rest in installments of $2.3 million in rent and contributions towards capitol improvements. The team has agreed to a 35 year lease, to pay for cost overruns and to change their name to the "Miami Marlins".

Update: January 23, 2008: In addition to covering all cost overruns, the Marlins would avoid rent for a marketing office, impact fees, and sales tax. Miami-Dade County would pay $249 million, and the City of Miami contributing $121 million. There will be 300 club seats and 60 suites.

Update: The Miami-Dade County commissioners gave approval to the City of Miami for a large financing package that could help fund the construction of a new ballpark and soccer field on the current site of the Orange Bowl. The plan is for a 37,000 seat retractable roof stadium. The county and city would contribute $370 million, through tourist tax and general obligation bonds, and the Marlins would give $155 million, up front, plus pay for cost overruns. The team would also be renamed the Miami Marlins for opening day, 2011.

Update: May 4, 2007: The Florida State Legislature closed for the season without approving funding for the Marlin's new ballpark.

Update: April 26, 2007: The Florida House of Representatives voted 86 to 24 to approve the $60 million sales tax rebate over thirty years to close the funding gap for a new Marlins ballpark. The rebate is based on a new ballpark generating an estimated $9 million in sales tax annually. This bill does not specify a location for the new ballpark.

Update: March, 2007: Following the lead of Miami Dade County Commission, the City of Miami Commission voted, unanimously, to move the planned $490 million project to the site of the Orange Bowl. This would be pending the expected move of the University of Miami's home football games to Dolphin Stadium. MLB and the Marlins do not support this idea.

Update: February 21, 2007: Sarah Talalay of the Sun-Sentinel reports that the Florida Senate Commerce Committee approved two bills, unanimously, that would provide the required $60 million sales tax rebate to the Marlins for stadium construction, payable over thirty years. The two bills, sponsored by Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R-Miami) and Rudy Hernandez (R-Hialeah) respectively, contain various protections to tax payers. For example, Diaz de la Portilla's bill would require the Marlins to pay back 150% of the money if they were to leave.

Update: February 7, 2007: Sarah Talalay and Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel report that the Marlins, the City of Miami, and Miami Dade County are close on a proposed $500 million stadium that would open in 2011, ideally. In order for this deal to get done, the State of Florida would need to kick in a $60 million sales tax rebate.

Update: November 21, 2006: Sarah Talalay of the Sun-Sentinel reports that a parcel of land located near Miami Arena, ample parking, Metrorail, and I-95, that is owned by the County and City of Miami and now consists of parking lots, could be used for a ballpark. Currently it is earmarked for a Juvenile Courthouse, but could be changed. The fact that the land is already owned publicly and already has infrastructure (thanks to Miami Arena) incorporated into it, would greatly help the cost of a new Marlins park. Other sites still being considered are in Hialeah, but coming up with the 60 to 70 acres of land for a stadium and parking, not to mention financing the stadium, has been difficult. A site in Broward County at Pompano Park Harness Track in Pompano Beach. MLB also has been looking at land to help the Marlins purchase in south Miami.

Update: The Florida State Legislature adjourned without taking up the issue of the sales tax rebate. This effectively denies it. However, in the wake of this event, here come the Miami Dolphins. They have offered to add a retractable roof to their stadium and make the lease more favorable to the Marlins. The money for this construction would come from the financing that was put in place for a new Marlins ballpark. The Marlins have not commented on this and neither has MLB. MLB will probably not like the deal as they do not care for dual use stadiums. The only stadiums that are still shared by both a NFL and a MLB team are Dolphin Stadium, McAfee Coliseum, and the Metrodome. The other teams (the A's and Twins) are both looking to move soon.

Update: March 5, 2005: As expected, Miami-Dade County has approved the proposed plan for a new Marlins ballpark. The next step is to kick this thing on up to Tallahassee for the State of Florida to approve a sales tax rebate. Gov. Jeb Bush praised the Marlins for working with the city and county to get this proposal done. Although he did not come out and endorse this proposal, he said that by working with the community it will help get supported in the legislature. He also said that even though most people are opposed to public financing for sports stadiums, that the county will own this park and it will have some local benefits and not just help Jeffrey Loria (Marlins owner) get richer. Thanks to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press for some of this information.

Update: February 25, 2005: The City of Miami has approved the proposed new stadium deal for the Marlins. The next step is to wait until Miami-Dade County approves the deal. This is expected to be no problem. The major hurdle will be when this deal goes to the State of Florida for a tax rebate. If all goes well, they can break ground soon.

Update: February 4, 2005: Miami and the Marlins have come to a tentative agreement on plans to build a new ballpark next to the Orange Bowl. A major hurdle was cleared when the Marlins agreed to have a lien on the franchise if it can't cover cost overruns. The agreement is waiting both approval by the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County. Another potential pitfall is the $30 million gap in financing. The Marlins have applied for a 30 year, $2 million a year sales tax rebate, which would cover the deficit. Florida Senate President Tom Lee said that the proposal has to be approved by the county before this issue can be taken to the state. The Marlins have also asked Major League Baseball for a guarantee of $10 million for cost overruns.

Update: December 12, 2004: The NFL's Miami Dolphins, owners of Pro Player Stadium, have told the Marlins that they will be kicked out of the stadium after the 2010 season. The Dolphins say that the infield dirt is harmful to the football team and prevents them from pursuing other events, such as cricket and soccer. I know that last sentence may sound a bit crazy, but Miami has a huge Hispanic population and soccer is the preferred sport of most Hispanic countries. The Dolphins claim the Marlins only generate $1 to $2 million for them. The Marlins have a series of 1 year options they can exercise leading up to 2010. The team believes that they will get over the cusp of negotiating for a new stadium next to the Orange Bowl. The only sticking point is guaranteeing cost overruns. In a curious move, the Marlins also met with officials from Las Vegas who are looking for a team (Oakland?). The Marlins say it was just to advise them out how to go about planning for a team and they were convinced things would work out for them in Miami.

Update: November 17, 2004: With a new legislature comes new hope for the Marlins. As you probably read earlier, the funding for a new Marlins ballpark was short $30 million. The new legislature is more open to help the Marlins. They are applying for a State of Florida sales tax rebate of $60 million, or $2 million a year for 30 years. Even if the Marlins don't generate $2 million a year in sales taxes, they would still get the money. Every other professional sports team in Florida has this deal in place but the Marlins. I personally think this will go through. This team is too close to getting a new stadium for this not to be pulled off.

Update: October 28, 2004: The Marlins have increased cost estimates for a new stadium and parking garage, on the site of the Orange Bowl, from $367 million to $420 million. They have also increased their contribution from $157 million to $192 million, mostly in rent guaranteed by ballpark revenue and cash. The team, soon to be renamed Miami Marlins when this is all said and done, will also cover cost overruns through future revenue, a lien on the franchise, letter of credit, and a guarantee from MLB for up to $10 million.

This was done to prove to the public that the Marlins would cover cost overruns. In response Miami-Dade County would increase its contribution from $120 million to $138 million, including $16 million for land acquisition. This will be raised through hotel bed and sports facilities taxes. Miami's contribution remains at $28 million through tourist development taxes and the $32 million garage is expected to pay for itself. All three parties (the team, county, and city) are going to lobby the State of Florida for $60 million in sales tax rebate to cover additional cost overruns. If funding is not secured, the Marlins can terminate the agreement. If this agreement is not approved by the city and county at one of their next two meetings, the team cannot be barred from relocation.

Update: September 2004: Here is what is going on in the south Florida swamp. The Marlins are trying to build a new $367 million retractable roof stadium on the site of the Orange Bowl, as you may know. The Marlins have committed $157 million to the project with Miami-Dade County pledging $120 million and the City of Miami putting up $28 million, the land, and help finance the $32 million 2,500 car garage, which will pay for itself. This leaves a shortfall of $30 million. No party wants to budge and contribute this money. The Marlins applied for a $30 million tax rebate from the State of Florida which was rejected, but they plan on applying for it again. They are more optimistic this time because leadership in the Senate has changed. Other factors are the City and the County want the Marlins to issue a letter guaranteeing that they pay for all the cost overruns. There will need to be additional land acquisition, which should cost about $10 million. Someone has to pay for the upkeep of the park, which will run $2 million annually. Personally, I feel this stadium deal is too close for it not to get done. My guess is that if the Marlins don't get the tax rebate, the parties involved will split the money and this will benefit everyone. The concern for Miami and other cities such as Oakland, Tampa Bay and even Minnesota and Kansas City, is that the cities that did not get the Expos (Monterey, Las Vegas, Portland, and Norfolk) might still be looking for a new team.

Update: May 19, 2004: Wayne Huizenga, former owner of the Marlins and current owner of the NFL Dolphins and both teams' home, Pro Player Stadium, has said that he is glad it looks like the Marlins are going to get their own stadium. However, he said that if the Marlins think that they will get $30 million from the State of Florida, money that was generated from a sales tax rebate and ear marked for baseball in Florida, think again. He has already spent the money on stadium improvements. Sorry guys, thanks for playing.

Update: May 12, 2004: The newest plan, listed below, has been approved by an 8-3 city council vote. Although funding is totally secured, the Marlins are starting with the architects and plan on breaking ground by December or January.

Update: At last some progress is being made for the Marlins who were willing to fund $157 million of a new park for them. The plan is for the Marlins to build a retractable roof stadium on the southwest corner of the Orange Bowl property on a parking lot and some rental properties that will be claimed through eminent domain. The $10 million land acquisition fee will be funded by a new $32 million, 2,500 spot garage that will also pay for itself through bond money. There is a $32 million funding gap that should be covered through a sales tax rebate.

Update: March 16, 2004: The Florida Marlins have rejected both city proposed sites, which include the land by the Orange Bowl and Miami Arena.

Update: January 9, 2004: The City of Miami has proposed a dual stadium structure (pictured above) at the site of the city-owned Orange Bowl. The cost of this 2-in-1 sports complex would be about $375 million. The two stadiums would share a "premium seating tower" with all the fancy pants suits held there. The Marlins are concerned about the fact that the plan does not call for a retractable roof for their stadium, which they say is essential. Miami has a habit of down pouring for an hour every evening in the spring. Whether or not the Marlins choose this route, Miami is expected to invest $100 million for a facility that will house University of Miami football and professional soccer.

Update: December 24, 2003: Miami has now proposed that the Marlins build a new stadium on the site of the city owned Orange Bowl. There have been plans to renovate the 66 year old Orange Bowl next year. This plan calls for the demolishing of the existing structure and building a new facility that would be used by both the Marlins and the University of Miami football team.

The Marlins are also talking of backing off of their requirement for a retractable roof stadium, decreasing the cost of a new stadium to around $200 million. This money has been raised by the Marlins pledge of $137 million and the Convention Center Tax of $73 million.

Update: December 21, 2003: Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penalas has said that the city can not contribute any money towards land acquisition for a new Marlins stadium. They have suggested that the Marlins look for locations outside of the city, so the other municipality can help contribute towards the cost of land, or look for a new partner. Miami-Dade is proposing a half cent sales tax increase to raise money for this project. It would raise $225 million and will be voted on March 9, 2004.

Update: November 7, 2003: Union Labor Life Insurance Company is willing to loan the Florida Marlins more than $110 million to construct their new stadium, provided that they only hire union labor.

Update: November 3, 2003: Don King has offered up a piece of property he owns in West Palm Beach as a possible home for the Marlins. I don't see this happening. West Palm Beach is in Palm Beach County. I don't think Miami-Dade county would want to give that $73 million to build a park in a different county.

Update: October 29, 2003: More on the Marlins project. If there are any cost overruns, and who could imagine that happening?, the Marlins will pay the excess. Also the Marlins have agreed to change their name to the Miami Marlins if a new park is constructed. This name has been used before for minor league teams in the Florida State League and the International League.

Update: October 28, 2003: The Florida Marlins and Miami-Dade County announced today a plan for a new $325 million retractable roof stadium. They estimate the stadium's capacity will be 38,000. $137 million will come from the Marlins and $73 million will come from the county with the money made from the bed tax. Miami Beach will not be happy. The tax is called the " convention development tax proceeds and professional sports franchise facility tax money", and they feel some of the money should go to upgrade the convention center. There is obviously a gap on how to finance the remaining $115 million, but the thought is that this will be handled by either the city or the state. The above figures do not include money for land acquisition. The front running site is the land around the Orange Bowl, which is owned by the city.

Update: October 21, 2003: Manny Diaz, Mayor of Miami loves baseball and thinks Miami should have a Major League team. As a result, he wants to build a retractable roof stadium. Will it work out? Diaz says it is too close to call.

Update: October 17, 2003: Although no progress has been made, it has been reveled that the Marlins would like a domed stadium and the possible sites are by the Miami Arena in downtown or in the Orange Bowl vicinity.

Update: September 25, 2003: The Marlins entering the playoffs as the NL Wild Card team might not be the only thing that helps propel Miami towards a new baseball stadium. $50 million that was raised as a Miami-Dade County bed tax will go back to the City of Miami Beach, for a convention center, if it is not pledged towards a new ballpark by December 1, 2003. I have a feeling something might get done.

Update: 7/03: The Florida Marlins have offered to contribute $100 million towards the construction of a new baseball only facility in the Miami Dade area. Arriola said that if the Marlins were to offer that money they would be able to work something out, possibly using bonded money.

Update: 5/31/03: Miami Mayor, Alex Penalas, is studying ways that the city can contribute to helping the Marlins build a downtown Miami stadium. He is "very optimistic" that a new stadium will be built. Some of the ideas for financing a new stadium, which some estimate to cost $450 million, are bonds or limited funds from a county development tax. The stipulation is, however, that the Florida Marlins change their name to the Miami Marlins.

Currently the Marlins play at Pro Player Stadium, home of the NFL Miami Dolphins. Pro Player is a now defunct business division of Fruit of the Loom. Some corporations that are negotiating for naming rights are DHL Worldwide Express and Celebrity Cruises.

End update

The Florida Marlins want to begin construction on a new stadium in 2004. Good luck. The team has met with Joe Arriola, the Miami City Manager, to discuss things and they have settled on a site, the site of the old Miami Arena.

"I doubt very seriously we could contribute toward construction," Arriola said. "We are not building a building for anyone. We could help with land and infrastructure. They would like us to write a check, but that's not going to happen." (Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4/19/03)

Local Media Links: Miami Herald

© 2003-08 Paul Healey. Picture © 2004 Miami Herald (bottom). Other picture © unknown.