Marlins President Don Smiley said yesterday that "he
was ending his 14-month bid to put together an investment
group to buy the team," according to Barry Jackson of the
MIAMI HERALD. Two sources said that Marlins Owner Wayne
Huizenga told Smiley last week that he intended to sell the
club to FL commodities trader John Henry. Smiley: "It was a
dream. It didn't work out." Meanwhile, Henry said talks
with Huizenga are ongoing: "I expect a deal, but I don't
know how soon." Also yesterday, GM Dave Dombrowski agreed
to a five-year deal with Henry to remain with the team, as
Huizenga "has assured Dombrowski that Henry will buy the
team, barring an unforseen development." Sources said
Dombrowski's new deal will pay him $1M a year, making him
MLB's "highest-paid" GM (Barry Jackson, MIAMI HERALD, 9/10).
Smiley's financial adviser, Chip Gesner, said Henry "killed
us" when he said he would finance a ballpark to keep the
team in South FL. Gesner: "But now the pressure is on Henry
to live up to his promise" (Alan Snel, SUN-SENTINEL, 9/10).
