T1B

Las Vegas among seven cities believed to be eyeing Marlins

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL


Las Vegas is one of seven cities that is believed to have contacted the Florida Marlins regarding the team's potential relocation, The Miami Herald reported in today's editions.

Two of the other cities are Portland, Ore., and East Rutherford, N.J. No other cities were named, though the Herald previously has listed Charlotte, N.C., as a city the Marlins are interested in.



Each city made its desire known to the Marlins after they announced last week they had received permission from Major League Baseball to look into the possibility of relocation. The Marlins have tried several times to finance a new stadium in Miami, but they have not been successful. They have made it clear, though, they have not given up on getting a deal done.

The Herald did not report who from Las Vegas made contact with the Marlins. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, through a spokeswoman, declined comment.

Marlins president David Samson told the Herald he was unsure if he would meet with representatives from any of the interested cities before the end of the year.

"We're in the process of exploring, and that process takes time," Samson said.

He is expected to visit only the cities the Marlins will most seriously consider. Whether team owner Jeffrey Loria makes any of the trips is uncertain.

Loria has not been speaking with the media. But various reports have said he has been fascinated by Las Vegas' potential.

"I have had no recent conversations with them," said Bob DuPuy, MLB's chief operating officer. "I think they have already begun the process of sorting through where they are and what might happen. I would expect nothing serious will happen until after the first of the year."

The Marlins' lease at Dolphins Stadium expires after the 2007 season, so events could happen quickly if the club moves.

Las Vegas might have difficulties housing the Marlins at that time if they chose to come here. Most likely, a stadium would not be built any sooner than 2010.

Portland and East Rutherford have facilities that could be used.

In Portland's case, it has a Triple-A ballpark that could be expanded to about 25,000 seats while a permanent home is constructed. That area has been aggressive in putting the word out to MLB about its interest in attracting a team.

East Rutherford has Giants Stadium as a temporary home. It would have to be reconfigured for baseball, which is similar to the Marlins' current situation. But the New York Mets and Yankees probably would put up a fight to keep out the Marlins, arguing their territorial rights would be violated.


I'll tell you where they will be. In Florida. The county will find a "last minute" solution to build the fuckin stadium.

Vegas has NO chance of having a team. the stadium we do have holds barely 10,000 and is so out of date its pathetic.

What the miami papers are sayin.


MARLINS | POSSIBLE RELOCATION


Seven cities like Marlins

Stadium talks between the Marlins and Miami-Dade County remain stalled, but a handful of metro areas have inquired about becoming the team's next home.

BY BARRY JACKSON

bjackson@herald.com


On a day he was harshly criticized by Miami's city manager, Marlins president David Samson said Wednesday the team has been contacted by officials from seven cities since receiving permission to explore relocation, but has not scheduled any meetings.

In an interview with 790 The Ticket's Joe Rose, Miami city manager Joe Arriola blasted Samson, saying, ``As long as we have a little boy doing a man's job, the stadium is not going to happen in this city.''

Samson, in a subsequent interview with The Herald, said, ``It is very sad to me that an appointed city official finds it necessary to continue to comment on my physical attributes.''

Samson said no political official from South Florida has contacted the Marlins since the team announced Nov. 22 that it has been given the go-ahead to meet with officials from other cities.

POSSIBLE SUITORS

Samson would not disclose the seven cities, but officials from Portland, Ore., and East Rutherford, N.J., have publicly confirmed contacting the Marlins. A businessman from Puerto Rico also has expressed interest in luring the Marlins.

In his radio interview, Arriola said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman -- who met with two Marlins officials last December -- told him that he has not heard from the Marlins recently. However, Las Vegas is known to be one of the cities that has expressed interest.

MLB privately regards Las Vegas and Portland as the most likely options for relocation if the Marlins move. Samson said he didn't know if he would meet with officials from Las Vegas or elsewhere before the end of the year, and he declined to estimate the likelihood of the Marlins leaving South Florida.

''We're in the process of exploring,'' he said. ``And that process takes time.''

Samson intends to visit the cities that are deemed realistic options. He said he doesn't know if owner Jeffrey Loria will accompany him.

The only idea being discussed to keep the Marlins in South Florida involves building a stadium on Wayne Huizenga-owned land adjacent to Dolphins Stadium. Samson said playing there is ''realistic'' but also termed it a ``long shot.''

The Marlins and Huizenga Holdings have agreed to a price for the land, according to Samson. But the Marlins and Miami-Dade County have not determined a way to cover construction costs. Samson said last week that the funding gap is at least $80 million.

''We have to figure out where we are and once for all, make a decision,'' Samson said of the proposal.

HE SAID, HE SAID

Last week, the Marlins announced they have ended discussions with the city of Miami about building a stadium next to the Orange Bowl. In the radio interview, Arriola expressed skepticism about the Marlins' search for a new city.

''To put people at ease, I even talked to Mayor Goodman, and they haven't heard from them,'' Arriola said. ``It's another tactic. David plays the role very poorly.''

Responded Samson: ``It's not my concern how a city manager views the way we run our business. There are seven cities that are working hard to get Major League Baseball, not including South Florida. There are seven elected officials who realize what being a major-league city means.''

Arriola also disputed the Marlins' contention that they offered $212 million toward the $385 million project and blamed Samson for the deal not materializing.

''David is a very, very difficult person to deal with,'' Arriola said. ``He's very sensitive. When we argue, he pouts. He's pouting right now. . . . It's going to be very difficult to do a deal while David is pouting.''

Responded Samson: ``It's disturbing as a resident of South Florida that decisions are being made that may not necessarily reflect the desires of its constituents. . . . [And it is] disheartening that Mr. Arriola continues in vain to try to get Jeffrey Loria to sell the team to an owner that is somehow connected to him.''