The Marlins have not yet spoken to government officials about plans for Marlins ParkGETTY IMAGES
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said that whenever sporting events return to Miami, "don't expect full or close-to-full stadiums and arenas" in the "near future, and maybe not even for the rest of the calendar year barring the development of an effective antiviral drug or vaccine," according to Chiang & Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. Gimenez said, "Knowing what we know today and not what we may know tomorrow, I don't see that being real realistic. I see empty stadiums or I see sparse stadiums, let's put it that way. Because there is no antiviral and there is no vaccine." Gimenez "did reveal that he wants to write a new order that will allow for professional sports teams that operate in Miami-Dade to begin working out." He said that he has "had brief conversations with Dolphins officials on the potential for holding events at Hard Rock Stadium." Gimenez also said that he spoke with Heat President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth yesterday about the organization's "plan to reopen the practice facility to players." Gimenez also said that he has "not yet spoken" to Univ. of Miami officials on how the pandemic will impact its sports. He added that he has "not yet spoken to Marlins officials on what steps will need to be taken to hold games at Marlins Park" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/7).
DON'T TAKE FANS FOR GRANTED: In DC, Thomas Boswell writes, "For 50 years I've heard everyone in sports -- owners, players, broadcasters, merchandisers, media, gambling outlets and more -- say, 'The fans should come first. ... Can't do it without them. ... The fans are the game.'" But that "mostly has been lies." No matter "what players, unions and owners said, they took fans for granted as a safe, dependable food source in their ecosystem." But that is "about to change." The post-pandemic pendulum "needs to swing back toward fans" or they "won't be back in the same numbers" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/7).
