Marlins President Don Smiley's deal to buy the team "is
in jeopardy because he has experienced setbacks in his
search for investors willing to combine to meet" team Owner
Wayne Huizenga's $150M asking price, according to Barry
Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. Smiley also needs to raise
another $10M or so in working capital. The Ackerley Group,
headed by Sonics Owner Barry Ackerley, "is now considered
unlikely to invest," and other "likely investors have either
said no or remain undecided." But Huizenga said he remained
"optimistic" of a Smiley deal. Jackson added that at least
one "high-ranking" Marlins official has been told Smiley's
deal "may not materialize, and if it doesn't, Huizenga
likely would own the team next season." Smiley admitted to
Jackson, "Some things have changed" in his pursuit of the
team. Jackson reported that Smiley's decision to trade away
several "key" players in an effort to trim payroll "has
discouraged several investors," but Smiley said that those
decisions have been "praised by some of his investors," who
he declined to identify (MIAMI HERALD, 12/14).
BALLPARK TIMING: Sources said that Smiley now prefers
to build a retractable-roof ballpark next to Pro Player
Stadium, and if there isn't a commitment for a new stadium
by next summer, "the team's owner -- be it Smiley or
Huizenga -- would consider offers to sell to a buyer who
would move the Marlins out of South Florida" (MIAMI HERALD,
12/14). This morning in Miami, Jackson & Krischer Goodman
write on Smiley's pitch for public help: "The problem is
that his timing is off. Smiley wants to build the stadium
with taxpayer money at a time when most available funds are
committed to other projects" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/15).
FOX SPORTS FL? Huizenga told Jackson that if he can
sell the team, he "might sell" SportsChannel FL, which holds
cable rights to the Marlins for the next five years.
Cablevision, a partner of Fox/Liberty Media, is the "front-
runner," meaning the RSN could change its name to Fox Sports
FL. Huizenga: "We won't sell SportsChannel unless we sell
the Marlins" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/14).
