Marlins execs have "asked players to call fans who have
either canceled their season tickets or are undecided about
renewing," according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD.
Recently acquired C Jorge Fabregas "confirmed" earlier this
week that he has agreed to call fans. Marlins VP/Sales &
Marketing Jim Ross said the calls will probably start in
January and that other players "also have expressed
interest," though he declined to identify them or say
whether they would be compensated. Ross: "Imagine getting a
call at home from one of our players. I've never seen
anything like this done before." Fabregas said he's "happy"
to become a Marlins salesman: "I need to try to get the fans
back. It's my duty as a Marlin to get on the horn and call
some people and tell them where the team is going." The
team's goal is to maintain last year's 12,600 season-ticket
accounts while adding new clients (MIAMI HERALD, 12/8).
DOUBLE STEAL? Jackson adds that Miami's WAMI-TV, which
previously "wrested" Heat games away from WBFS-UPN, "is
trying to do the same with the Marlins." A decision will be
made by Wayne Huizenga-owned SportsChannel FL, which owns TV
rights to the Marlins. WAMI "is believed" to have bid
around $3.5M per year for the games, and would also allow
SportsChannel to keep some ad revenue (MIAMI HERALD, 12/8).
