With this week's announcement that Wayne Huizenga has
sold the Marlins to FL commodities broker John Henry, THE
DAILY takes a look back at the timeline of events over the
537 days since Huizenga first put the team up for sale.
Dates indicate when the story was reported in THE DAILY.
1997: 6/27: Marlins Owner WAYNE HUIZENGA announces that
after absorbing $200M loss, he plans to sell the Marlins.
Huizenga: "This isn't anyone's fault in South Florida. This
is Wayne Huizenga's fault." 7/3: Hall of Famer MIKE SCHMIDT
rumored to be interested in putting together an ownership
group. 7/9: BARRY DILLER rumored as potential bidder.
7/24: Marlins President DON SMILEY labeled as "most serious
candidate" to buy club. 9/4: Huizenga says he will be part
of Smiley's group, remaining a minority owner. 9/22: Smiley
talks of partial public ownership of team. 10/6: During NL
Division Series, Huizenga tells NBC he doesn't "want to
sell," but the team needs new ballpark. 10/15: After
winning NLCS, Huizenga tells NBC he "isn't even thinking
about" his plans to sell the team, which will come "later."
10/28: Smiley and Miami Mayor JOE CAROLLO plan meeting to
discuss new ballpark. 11/6: Miami Herald reports that
Huizenga is "expected to announce" sale to Smiley "as early
as today." Huizenga: "I don't see any scenario in which Don
would not buy the team." The next day, Huizenga and Smiley
say they hope to close deal "in the next 30 days."
Huizenga: "I'm going to do anything to make this work."
11/21: Sonics parent ACKERLEY GROUP rumored to be part of
Smiley group. 12/3: Miami Herald reports Smiley has
"formally agreed to terms" to buy Marlins. 12/15: Miami
Herald reports Smiley deal "in jeopardy," as Ackerley
"considered unlikely to invest." 12/19: Smiley "still
expects to buy the team." Smiley: "I thought the business
community would step up in a more significant way."
1998: 1/12: Miami Herald reports that Marlins
"unsettled ownership situation should be clarified by the
end of January." 2/23: Peter Gammons reports that Huizenga
is "less than pleased" with Smiley. 2/27: After missing two
deadlines, Smiley tells Huizenga that he "expects to meet"
the $150M asking price. 4/1: Pro Player Stadium crowd boos
Huizenga at home opener. Smiley: "If it wasn't for Wayne
Huizenga, we wouldn't have baseball in South Florida and we
wouldn't have had the World Series." 4/21: Smiley says he
hopes sale will be approved at June 9-11 MLB owner meetings.
5/18: Marlins and Dodgers make largest trade in MLB history,
exchanging $115M in contracts, with MIKE PIAZZA and TODD
ZEILE going to the Marlins for GARY SHEFFIELD, BOBBY BONILLA
and CHARLES JOHNSON. BUD SELIG: "There's nothing I can do."
5/19: In aftermath of trade, two season-ticket holders file
suit against team and one advertiser pulls account. 5/21:
VINCE PIAZZA, father of Mike, confirms that he has had talk
about joining Smiley's group. The next day, Mike Piazza is
traded to the Mets. 6/9: Miami Herald reports sale to
Smiley "in question." 6/10: Sun-Sentinel reports that
Smiley bid will "likely be ready" before All-Star break.
7/7: Huizenga gives Smiley "final deadline" of July 21. The
next day, Sun-Sentinel reports Smiley "close to landing"
final investors. 7/9: Miami Herald reports Smiley
"lobbying" BARRY DILLER and CHARLES DOLAN to invest. 7/13:
Agent JOE CUBAS reportedly bid for team. 7/20: Miami Herald
reports Cubas "very close" to making bid. 7/21: With Smiley
"well short" of asking price, Huizenga considers giving him
more time. 7/23: Huizenga reportedly agrees to invest $25M
in Smiley bid, which is $35M short. 7/28: Huizenga gives
Smiley another deadline. 8/7: JOHN HENRY reportedly makes
Huizenga first offer for team, between $135-140M. 8/10:
Henry ups offer to $150M. Diller rumored to be putting
together bid group. 8/11: Report has Smiley's bid "hinging"
on Huizenga deal to sell SportsChannel FL to Cablevision.
Huizenga spokesperson calls Henry "serious candidate."
8/18: Henry reportedly in "serious negotiations to buy the
Marlins." Huizenga officials call sale to Smiley
"unlikely." 8/20: Huizenga says he is "not close to
selling" the team, and he may keep it for '99 season.
Huizenga: "I'm very frustrated. But what do I have to gain
by pulling the plug on Don?" 9/10: Smiley officially ends
pursuit of Marlins: "It was a dream. It didn't work out."
9/11: Henry reaches "agreement in principle" to buy team for
$150M. 9/28: Huizenga says he's "ready to end" sale
discussions with Henry. Huizenga: "I've had it up to here
with John Henry. It's over." 10/19: Sources confirm Henry
deal to buy team for $161M is done. 11/5: Henry is told by
Huizenga reps that there "is nothing more to talk about" as
Huizenga has "decided not to go through with the deal."
Henry: "I've had it with this whole process. I wonder if
the team was ever for sale to begin with." 11/6: Henry
"holding out some hope" on deal. Huizenga: "I hope he buys
the team." 11/9: Henry gets binding agreement in writing to
purchase Marlins from Huizenga for $150M (THE DAILY).
