MLB (Marlins) in SA?

[gameFACE]

What do y'all think of this. Real possibility or just SA as leverage for a new stadium in Miami? Pipe dream?

San Antonio Business Journal - 10:19 AM CST Tuesday

Florida Marlins may be looking for San Antonio home

W. Scott Bailey

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has held quiet conversations with Florida Marlins officials that could eventually lead to the Major League Baseball franchise relocating from South Florida to South Texas.

And although the intent, say some local officials, was to keep the situation quiet until plans for where the NFL's Saints will play next season were more firmed up, this latest development could help raise the Alamo City's national profile with both leagues.

Wolff was unavailable for comment. His assistant will only say that the county judge will address the media on the steps of the County Courthouse today at 3 p.m.

Wolff's son, City Councilman Kevin Wolff, says about this latest opportunity for San Antonio to potentially add another major league sports franchise to its lineup: "Dad gets all the credit for this one."

Marlins officials visited with local leaders in Las Vegas last year about a potential relocation of the team, which has failed to gain traction for a new stadium in Florida. But this is believed to be the first meeting of team officials with another city since receiving permission from Major League Baseball to pursue relocation opportunities late last month.

"It's still a long way from done," Councilman Wolff warns. "But he (Nelson Wolff) feels pretty strongly that they (Marlins) are serious."

Los Marlins

Posted on Tue, Dec. 06, 2005

Marlins and San Antonio officials will meet this week

Officials from San Antonio plan to meet with Marlins officials in Texas this week, an official close to the situation said. Though Marlins executives visited Las Vegas last December, this will be the team's first meeting with officials from another city since receiving permission Nov. 21 to explore relocation.

Meanwhile, MLB president Robert DuPuy is expected to meet with Marlins and Huizenga Holdings officials this week to discuss building a stadium on Wayne Huizenga-owned land next to Dolphins Stadium. The proposal still has a funding gap of at least $80 million.

Huizenga has offered the Marlins free land on the site and discussed chipping in $50 million toward construction, sources said. Huizenga, who is believed to be losing patience, has not said whether he would expect a share of the stadium profits.

Miami-Dade County has offered $138 million toward a stadium. County manager George Burgess said Monday he still holds out hope but conceded, ``At the end of the day, we may not be successful, and the franchise may leave.''

Los Marlins 2

Interesting. The idea of MLB in SA was brought up in ’03 when the Expos were looking to relocate. At that time Wolff said that SA was about 5 to 10 years away from realistically landing another major league sports franchise. I totally agree with that assessment. I’m not sure how big locals are into MLB but the south central Texas market definitely has big potential as a viable market. Possibly even as far down as Monterrey, Mexico which was discussed during the Expos feeler. It will be interesting to hear the news conference and see if this develops into something serious in the future or just SA as leverage for a new Miami stadium. Whatever the case, I would definitely welcome the MLB to SA and support it.

My gut feeling is SA could support one more franchise at this time but not two.

[Extra Stout]

SA is probably a decade or more away from being a viable MLB market. But the conversations are worth having.

Portland is the obvious choice for the Marlins assuming they can get a stadium built. The Marlins will be leaving South Florida as soon as 2008. They have sold off most of their good players this offseason to slash their payroll.

The Devil Rays may be the next to move, and San Antonio could be in that mix, along with cities like Charlotte and Las Vegas, or Miami if they decide to build a new faciliy there once the Marlins leave.

[Das Texan]

well tickle me silly.

my team relocating to my town.

I would be in heaven for centuries.

[Marcus Bryant]

SA used by a pro sport owner part XXIV.

[TheWriter]

Funny how the one guy who said SA was 10 years away if very serious about landing the Marlins.

"It's still a long way from done," Councilman Wolff warns. "But he (Nelson Wolff) feels pretty strongly that they (Marlins) are serious."

[Marcus Bryant]

Hey man, we got VJ Keefe. MLB here we come.

[Das Texan]

we also have the Wolff. Neither of which are anywhere close to MLB standards unfortunately.

[TheWriter]

we also have the Wolff. Neither of which are anywhere close to MLB standards unfortunately.

And Portland has? Las Vegas has? North Jersey has...

[TheWriter]

Hey man, we got VJ Keefe. MLB here we come.

We understand why you're the way you are.

[Marcus Bryant]

You're right. Pretty soon I'm going to find myself posting on NSYNCfans.com.

[Extra Stout]

And Portland has? Las Vegas has? North Jersey has...

Portland has an ownership group and stadium proposals. They're about as organized as D.C. was. They've grown into a medium-sized market. It's a wealthy area. They have a stronger baseball heritage than S.A. It fits.

Vegas has the mayor and the casinos on board. They have land available for a facility and private financing available. Their lack of a regional TV market is somewhat of an issue. The sports books remain the deal-killer.

S.A. is in a better position for this sort of thing than they were in years past. Ten years ago the Marlins would have laughed them off. I think S.A. has a 10% chance at the Marlins, and maybe a 30-40% chance at the next team looking to relocate. There just aren't as many markets in front of S.A. anymore.

[Marcus Bryant]

Again, you're back to trying to involve points north and south. Unlike with the NFL, there isn't a team really that entrenched in SA. The 'stros have their fans, but its nothing like the Cowboys.

Still, trying to pull in 20,000 fans on average for 81 games a season would seem a bit difficult for this area.

[TheWriter]

Portland has an ownership group and stadium proposals.

Marlin's aren't looking for an ownership group. They're looking for a new stadium.

Vegas has the mayor and the casinos on board.

Vegas has the casino's on board? Since when. No way they take MLB bets off their boards.

[TheWriter]

You're right. Pretty soon I'm going to find myself posting on NSYNCfans.com.

You don't already?

[Marcus Bryant]

What would make sense is for someone to come up with a combo football/baseball stadium plan. It would be interesting to see if a publicly financed one could be sold with the Saints and Marlins being somewhat available. If back in the day the Alamodome had been located on a different site, SA would already be set. But it just had to be located downtown...

[Marcus Bryant]

You don't already?

Nope. That's your role.

[TheWriter]

Nope. That's your role.

Really?

[Extra Stout]

Marlin's aren't looking for an ownership group. They're looking for a new stadium.

Peruse this site: http://www.portlandbaseballgroup.com/

Vegas has the casino's on board? Since when. No way they take MLB bets off their boards.

They have the casinos on board to donate some of their own real estate for a stadium and to help finance it. However, the sports book may be a deal-killer, as I already said.

San Antonio has a lot of catching up to do. But even if they don't land the Marlins, they can lay the groundwork for the next time. Portland missed out on the Expos, but now they're ready for the Marlins.

[Marcus Bryant]

Yeah. So I went to a GTG and wore a tshirt and hat. Small surprise you are afraid to show up to one.

[TheWriter]

Yeah. So I went to a GTG and wore a tshirt and hat. Small surprise you are afraid to show up to one.

Afraid? Yeah, that's it.

[Marcus Bryant]

Peruse this site: [url]

San Antonio has a lot of catching up to do. But even if they don't land the Marlins, they can lay the groundwork for the next time. Portland missed out on the Expos, but now they're ready for the Marlins.

The best approach for SA is to include a baseball configuration as the part of any new planned stadium. The downside, of course, if that any relocated MLB team would have to play a couple of seasons at VJ Keefe.

[TheWriter]

Peruse this site: http://www.portlandbaseballgroup.com/

Been there, done that.

Again, the Marlins nor the MLB are seeking an ownership group, just a new stadium, whether from Miami or some other city.

[Marcus Bryant]

Afraid? Yeah, that's it.

Apparently you haven't done so. As much time as you have to sit at home and take pics of a TV you would think that you could manage to make one.

Not sure why you are so fascinated by my pic. There is a term for men who like pics of other men...

[Extra Stout]

The best approach for SA is to include a baseball configuration as the part of any new planned stadium. The downside, of course, if that any relocated MLB team would have to play a couple of seasons at VJ Keefe.

Multi-purpose stadiums are not acceptable anymore.

And given that VJ Keefe is not acceptable as a AA facility, of course it could not house a Major League team (are you thinking of Wolff Stadium?). SA would have to finish the new facility before the team arrived.

[TheWriter]

Apparently you haven't done so. As much time as you have to sit at home and take pics of a TV you would think that you could manage to make one.

Sure I could make one, but I don't. Complex concept for you to understand I see.

Not sure why you are so fascinated by my pic.

Funny, could say the same damn thing about you towards me and my hobbies.