As one of the few remaining papers willing to bankroll a hotel stay for a troublemaking reporter in another city, the New York Times
has helicoptered itself into the Marlins' soul-sucking stadium situation in south Florida.
Though many in Miami have publicly questioned the sweetheart deal given to Marlins' owner Jeffrey Loria (right, with Bud Selig), I believe this marks the first time that I've seen the $645 million park that's set to open in 2012 questioned in such a national forum.
Why, asks NYT writer Ken Belson, was Loria promised just about every penny spent in that stadium, even when the economy went in the tank and county commissioners could have saved taxpayers from the cost?
The answer? "Sports, sports, sports, sports, sports, sports, sports, sports ..."
From the NYT:
The deal was a fresh reminder that even during a recession, sports hold sway over communities regardless of the potential costs.
"Outside of Fidel becoming part owner of the team, nothing would have stopped the deal," said Carlos A. Gimenez, one of the three Miami-Dade County commissioners who voted against the agreement earlier this year. "I'm not anti-baseball, but I'm anti-bad deal. Anyone with any sense can see this is cockeyed."
Belson's piece is a good read for those of us who don't stay up-to-date on political happenings in Miami, as is
the accompanying piece where Loria claims that the Marlins are the team of the Americas and that the completed ballpark
will be considered a work of art.
How any of this reveals how the ballpark will help resurrect the neighborhood around the Orange Bowl or jolt the smallest fanbase in Major League Baseball, I have no idea, though it's certainly nice that the NY Times is still committed to shining a light on the political boondoggles being foisted upon other cities across the country.
