ESPN's Stuart Scott said on the 1:30am ET
"SportsCenter" that ESPN's Hank Goldberg "is reporting, at a
meeting to discuss the team's future, [Marlins Owner Wayne]
Huizenga indicated he would sell the franchise"
("SportsCenter," ESPN, 6/26). A Marlins source "did not
dispute" Goldberg's ESPN report and "expressed
disappointment at the turn of events," according to Barry
Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. One source told Jackson, "This
is not what Wayne thought he was getting into when he bought
the team. He thought baseball would have put in a way to
limit salaries." But Huizenga Holdings spokesperson Stan
Smith said that "no decision" about selling the club was
made as of last night and discussions will continue today.
Huizenga's top sports execs, including Huizenga Holdings
President Rich Rochon, Sports and Entertainment CEO Dick
Evans, Marlins President Don Smiley and team GM Dave
Dombrowski, all "declined comment." MLB Acting Commissioner
Bud Selig also would not say last night if Huizenga has
sought permission from the league's Executive Council to
sell the team (MIAMI HERALD, 6/26).
LOSING A BIG FISH? In Fort Lauderdale, Larry Lebowitz
reports that sources "inside" the Marlins organization said
Huizenga's advisors were discussing preparations for a news
conference before tonight's home game with the Expos "at
which Huizenga would make an announcement" (Fort Lauderdale
SUN-SENTINEL, 6/26). In Miami, Barry Jackson also reports
that "in an unusual move," Huizenga went to the Fort
Lauderdale airport last night to meet Marlins Manager Jim
Leyland, who was returning with the team from Philadelphia.
Huizenga met with Leyland "for about 30 minutes." Leyland
would not comment on the conversation (MIAMI HERALD, 6/26).
