Owners of Miami-based Magic City Casino are taking issue with an illuminated Miccosukee Indian Tribe sign along the northern wall of Marlins Park because the Miccosukees are "obvious competitors for the vital gambling dollars that Magic City Casino is trying to attract," according to Charles Rabin of the MIAMI HERALD. Magic City VP/Political Affairs Isadore Havenick said that the sign "violates the agreement reached after the public voted in 2008 to allow slots at three Miami-Dade pari-mutuels including Magic City." Havenick said that despite "brief discussions with county administrators, there has not been any movement toward new talks." Rabin notes the situation is "complicated, because though the county owns the ballpark and the land it sits on, the Marlins are renters and control the facility's advertising." Havenick said that he is "not contemplating litigation yet because the contract calls for renegotiating in good faith first." He also is not "focused on demanding a cut of the Miccosukee advertising revenue." Marlins President David Samson called it a "non-issue" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/6).
