NHL Panthers President & COO Michael Yormark responded Thursday in a statement to remarks from Marlins President David Samson “downplayed any suggestion of bad blood" between the Panthers and other Miami pro teams, according to Craig Davis of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Yormark pointed out that he has "hosted executives, coaches and players from all three at numerous Panthers events, including the recent playoffs.” At the SBJ/SBD Sports Facilities & Franchises conference Thursday, Samson discussed an incident in March “when fans upset about some of the Dolphins' offseason moves protested" outside the team's training facility. Two sales reps for the Panthers reportedly “stopped by and handed out business cards to protesters and gave free tickets to one who was wearing a Panthers T-shirt.” Yormark said of the incident, "While we support that type of initiative in our staff members, we certainly do not condone it in that particular forum or setting. We spoke to those sales executives, underlying the respect we have for the other teams in the market, and the issue has since been rectified" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/8). During Thursday's panel discussion in Miami, which Yormark was originally confirmed to attend but had to cancel due to an emergency obligation, there appeared to be a sense of mutual respect between the Marlins, Dolphins and Heat. Samson did not mention the NHL Panthers by name, but said in looking at the panelist present, “The three ‘Miami’ teams work very well together.” Samson added, “I can’t speak for anyone else in this market, but we will not go to a sponsor and say, ‘The Marlins are this, the Marlins are that, don’t do business with them.’ That doesn’t make us look good.” Dee noted that he goes to Heat and Marlins games and said, “It’s far better to have that kind of relationship than it is to have one that is contentious or acrimonious, and I’m glad to say that (the Dolphins, Marlins and Heat) want that kind of relationship” (THE DAILY).
