Boca Raton commodities dealer John Henry has "reached
an agreement in principle" to buy the Marlins from Wayne
Huizenga for $150M, according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI
HERALD. Henry: "I have a handshake deal with Huizenga
Holdings president Rick Rochon ... [but] it's not a done
deal. We're shooting for October 31 as a closing date."
Henry also said that Heat Owner Micky Arison may join him in
investing in the team "after Henry's purchase of the team is
finalized." Henry is interested in Arison becoming a
minority owner of the team. Jackson reports that there is
also the possibility of a "trade" scenario, in which Henry
would become a limited partner of the Heat and Arison would
become a limited partner of the Marlins. Arison,
unavailable Thursday, has not spoken to Henry directly, but
Henry has held talks with Heat President of Business
Operations Jay Cross. Cross said that the Heat would be
interested in the Marlins "if the team built a domed stadium
downtown in Miami" as part of the city's revitalization.
Cross: "We would listen to anybody who approached us with an
investment that would result in a sports entertainment
complex in Miami." Jackson adds that while the Heat would
not help finance a new ballpark, if money was borrowed for
the facility, Arison would assume a "share of the debt."
Jackson writes that Henry "would prefer not to have to"
privately finance a new ballpark, and instead "would favor
building a ballpark in a municipality willing to help
finance it" (Barry Jackson, MIAMI HERALD, 9/11).
JOHN HENRY'S PLANS: In Fort Lauderdale, Alan Snel
reports that Henry, a "quiet, soft-spoken man who appears
uncomfortable in the spotlight," plans to "boost the team's
anemic payroll to beyond" the $20M mark by keeping young
stars Cliff Floyd and Edgar Renteria (SUN-SENTINEL, 9/11).