April 18, 2006
San Antonio to Marlins: Put up or shut up
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has turned the tables on the Florida Marlins' compulsive deadline-setter David Samson, issuing an open letter that the Fish need to "fish or cut bait by May 15" if they want a stadium built in San Antonio. Wolff further told the San Antonio Express-News:
"We need to organize a campaign, select [a stadium] site and reach an MOU. You need time to do that right. ... I've been in business for a long time and have sold two companies. I know this game a little. You need to get off the ship or stay on. They need to see if they can get [a stadium deal] in Miami and this sets a time frame for them to do that."
County Commissioner Lyle Larson then let loose with the other barrel, telling the Express-News that "all of this groveling cheapens our stature as a community. We need to show more pride." At which point Wolff went all Dick Cheney on his fellow Texan, saying: "Nobody's groveling. Where did he get that [expletive, but you can guess which one]? What have we groveled about? The Marlins approached us about moving."
Wolff added that the May 15 deadline was necessary to get a stadium-funding referendum on the November 15 ballot, and that if the Marlins don't commit to move by then, "as far as I'm concerned, it's over." Your move, David.
—Neil deMause
I view this as a carefully orchestrated strategic move that all parties were likely pleased with. It provides the Marlins additional leverage with Miami area officials to help get a stadium deal done. It also puts the MLB and Marlin's economic analysis of the San Antonio market on the fast track. By the end of May, I expect that either a new Miami area stadium deal will materialize or the Marlin?s will be making preparations to head to South Texas.
Posted by Casual Observer on April 18, 2006 11:39 AM