Loria Says Marlins Payroll Will Increase In New Ballpark

Loria Says Marlins' Payroll Will Increase In New Ballpark

Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria said that he will "boost" the Marlins' payroll, but not until the team's new ballpark opens in 2011, according to Tom D'Angelo of the PALM BEACH POST. Loria said the team's '08 payroll, expected to be the lowest in MLB, is a "function of revenues, and we were not really able to derive any revenues out of (Dolphins Stadium). As we get closer to the [new] stadium, those things will change. We need to be in that facility and make things happen." The new ballpark's design is "expected to be complete in 6-9 months," and Loria said that announcements on a future All-Star Game and other events will come soon (PALM BEACH POST, 3/2). When asked if the new ballpark would mean a payroll increase to a level like mid-range MLB clubs, Loria said, "I think that's what we've been categorized as, a middle market" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/2). Loria added the new ballpark "basically solidifies baseball here in South Florida for a long time. ... It's hard to fall in love with something if you know it's going to leave." In Ft. Lauderdale, Juan Rodriguez wrote that "same notion is why some South Florida baseball enthusiasts will continue finding it difficult to embrace this club in the coming seasons." The new stadium agreement will "not immediately translate to the Marlins' best and increasingly expensive players staying put" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 3/2).

ON THE HOOK: In a special to the MIAMI HERALD, Florida Int'l Univ. professor Gregg Fields writes the new ballpark agreement is an "economic grand slam" for the Marlins. However, Miami taxpayers are "out -- for $395[M] to start. But don't fret. As construction goes into extra innings -- as government-funded construction projects here always do -- you're sure to hear a pitch for more." Fields writes, "I don't think that the couple of million of local residents who are barely hanging on to middle-class status should be asked to pay for it, considering that the beneficiaries are all millionaires." The most "startling" part of the agreement is that the Marlins get to keep all stadium revenues, and the agreement "doesn't require them to spend it on the team" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/3).