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Marlins Stadium Update No. $633 million (Will you go?)
So, with Miami and Miami-Dade County approvals now in hand, the Marlins finally believe they’ll be able to break ground for their new ballpark perhaps as soon as July. That is if the bonds can get sold and barring any other legal or governmental obstacle.
If the ballpark does get built at the former site of the Orange Bowl in Little Havana, will you go? I’ve heard from numerous Marlins fans in Broward and Palm Beach counties that they’ll still follow the team, but they won’t travel to Little Havana. Not at all? Never?
My colleague Mike Mayo wrote a column today, expressing the sentiments of many these days: he’ll wave from his couch. This isn’t just how people are feeling about baseball, but about sports in general. I’ve written about people finding the increase in ticket prices combined with the drop in prices for HD and big screen TVs makes staying at home a more inviting option. Add in the recession and layoffs and it’s no wonder teams are freezing and reducing ticket prices and offering special promotions to get fans in the door.
Have you stopped going to sporting events? Do you miss them?
Also, I'm taking suggestions for update numbers, if you want to weigh in. It was suggested after last night's county commission vote that I start again at 1, since the project has now been approved. Today's figure is the combined proposed cost of the $515 million stadium, $94 million in parking lots and $24 million in street and sewer work. (The figures don't always have a meaning, in case you were wondering). Let me know what you think.
Comments
I am not into baseball, so no, I will not attend the games whether the stadium is in cuba or broward (where i live). I do enjoy hockey, and that's why I live across the street from BankAtlantic center.
To costabear: We should be greatful that you saved baseball? guess what, you should be greatful that sunrise saved hockey in south florida. Why don't you come to the hockey games?
Posted by: light rail to sawgrass | March 25, 2009 10:17 PM
Now that we'll be playing in a real baseball stadium, and closer to my home...you bet I'll be going!
Posted by: costabear | March 24, 2009 6:30 PM
To those fans in Broward and Palm Beach who won't attend games in Little Havana,first of all,the governments in those two counties had the same opportunity to build a stadium for the Marlins',but chose not too,flatly refusing to even consider building one.Miami-Dade and it's citizens got the job done and are footing most of the cost.So actually,I'm appalled at your attitude when you're not paying any of the cost. You should be more grateful that Miami-Dade stepped up to the plate and saved baseball for South Florida.Besides, you folks attend Heat games in downtown Miami,so we know you'll be here when the Marlins' are winning.Stop always expecting to be convienced when you haven't contributed.
Posted by: Grady | March 24, 2009 4:52 PM
I don't see myself driving down there for a game, if I do it will be with slightly more frequency than I do for heat games, which for the past two years has been 1 or 2 per year. If the deals on tickets were good I'd probably go more, and if they find some way to get mass transit to the stadium I'd go as well. As it stands now the last northbound Tri-rail train leaves at around 9:30, it would be good for all involved if they extended that about 2 hours. Back when I had more free time in college I had season tickets (isn't it funny I lived better in college then I do as a young professional) and it was nearly impossible to get rid of extra seats. I imagine it will be tougher now.
I think the season ticket holders that are promising to swear off the game are just blowing smoke, its just like breaking up with a girlfriend you've had for years. Eventually you'll miss her, and eventually you'll try to get back with her, eventually you'll be drunk dialing her at 2am and eventually you'll have dinner with her and be civil adults. If you think you can quit baseball cold turkey then you probably weren't that big of a fan to begin with.
Myself, I'll just do what I've been doing for the past 3 years, making road trips to teams out of state and going to minor league games. $3 parking and $7 grandstands at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, $10 "all you can eat and a seat" with free parking at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona, and I'm flying to Texas this summer with my brother to catch 2 MLB games and a couple of minor league games, I might spend $700 in a week. I've also still got my college ID so college games will be free and we have 3 quality programs down here. All of these are also great reasons not to spend over a billion dollars (when the long term debt is included) on a baseball stadium when the economy is in the tank. I'll go because I'm a baseball fan, but I know it will cost a lot more.
Posted by: DREW | March 24, 2009 4:39 PM
Re: New Marlins Stadium
After the morally and financially bankrupt City of Miami Commission voted to take money from the poor and spend - $750 million dollars to build a baseball stadium; I saw the Mayor of Miami gleefully state that he is happy to get the stadium because when he was growing up there was no stadium for him to see baseball.
(I wonder where all the public schools were playing baseball during his childhood) and “now his children will be able to grow up seeing baseball.” (in politicians box seats, I’m sure!)
While they grow up! (Schools will still be playing baseball!)
Makes me wonder why the mayor left Cuba where they have played baseball during his lifetime and will-I’m sure continue to play baseball during his children’s life .
It really makes me cry!- I will be happy to buy the Mayor a one-way ticket for he and his children to go to Cuba to grow up with baseball! Are we all that stupid? To believe all this bullshit!
We are witnessing the biggest gravy train being set up for and by our money hungry politicians! Look out- don’t let the cost overrun train, run over you!
Posted by: opinionated | March 24, 2009 3:55 PM
Re: New Marlins Stadium
After the morally and financially bankrupt City of Miami Commission voted to take money from the poor and spend - $750 million dollars to build a baseball stadium; I saw the Mayor of Miami gleefully state that he is happy to get the stadium because when he was growing up there was no stadium for him to see baseball.
(I wonder where all the public schools were playing baseball during his childhood) and “now his children will be able to grow up seeing baseball.” (in politicians box seats, I’m sure!)
While they grow up! (Schools will still be playing baseball!)
Makes me wonder why the mayor left Cuba where they have played baseball during his lifetime and will-I’m sure continue to play baseball during his children’s life .
It really makes me cry!- I will be happy to buy the Mayor a one-way ticket for he and his children to go to Cuba to grow up with baseball! Are we all that stupid? To believe all this bullshit!
We are witnessing the biggest gravy train being set up for and by our money hungry politicians! Look out- don’t let the cost overrun train, run over you!
Posted by: opinionated | March 24, 2009 3:54 PM
Nope........Wouldnt waste the GAS nor the Money for a TIcket,and I DONT LIKE being around all the DRUNKS,Their hazardous to mine and my families Health
Posted by: DAS | March 24, 2009 3:37 PM
Re: New Marlins Stadium
After the morally and financially bankrupt City of Miami Commission voted to take money from the poor and spend - $750 million dollars to build a baseball stadium; I saw the Mayor of Miami gleefully state that he is happy to get the stadium because when he was growing up there was no stadium for him to see baseball.
(I wonder where all the public schools were playing baseball during his childhood) and “now his children will be able to grow up seeing baseball.” (in politicians box seats, I’m sure!)
While they grow up! (Schools will still be playing baseball!)
Makes me wonder why the mayor left Cuba where they have played baseball during his lifetime and will-I’m sure continue to play baseball during his children’s life .
It really makes me cry!- I will be happy to buy the Mayor a one-way ticket for he and his children to go to Cuba to grow up with baseball! Are we all that stupid? To believe all this bullshit!
We are witnessing the biggest gravy train being set up for and by our money hungry politicians! Look out- don’t let the cost overrun train, run over you!
Posted by: opinionated | March 24, 2009 3:23 PM