May 01, 2004
Marlins still $30m short
As expected, the Florida state legislature declined to give the Florida Marlins a sales-tax rebate on the final day of its session yesterday, leaving the team's $325 million stadium plan short by $30 million. Team president David Samson implied he'd go back to local governments to make up the shortfall, saying only: "We will now discuss with the county and city all possibilities remaining which will enable us to complete a retractable-roof facility by opening day 2007."
The $148 million in city and county stadium subsidies agreed to on Thursday are not final, either: the city and county commissions still must vote to approve them. Dade County tax collector Ian Yorty also said the Marlins must provide contractual guarantees that the team will make rent payments estimated at about $8 million a year (likely by pledging TV rights revenue), and will shield the public from any cost overruns (good luck on that one).
