One of Marlins President Don Smiley's three
confidential documents issued to potential investors
"suggests the Marlins could move as early" as the 2001
season if they don't get a new ballpark, according to Barry
Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. The documents also show that
Smiley would receive about $2M from Huzienga Holdings "for
buying the team" and would receive a raise to $450,000 per
year and earn a 5% raise every year. Jackson: "Though
Smiley would be investing $2.5 million, he would make that
money back in short order and would pocket considerably
more." But Jackson adds that with his deadline for buying
the team tomorrow, sources said Smiley "is still well short"
of Wayne Huizenga's $165M asking price (MIAMI HERALD, 7/20).
CUBAS GOODING? Meanwhile, Miami-based sports agent Joe
Cubas says he has raised more than enough money to purchase
the Marlins and is "very close" to making a bid (MIAMI
HERALD, 7/19). In Fort Lauderdale, Alan Snel wrote, "The
chances of Smiley and Cubas linking ownership arms are as
good as the Marlins' repeating as world champs this year.
Each wants to be the Man -- the managing general partner who
calls the shots for the franchise" (SUN-SENTINEL, 7/19).
