Miami's Mayor: “Residents Of Miami Were Raped” by Marlins

My old colleague, David Sutta, now with WFOR-TV in Miami, spoke to the city's mayor, Tomas Regalado, about his comments in this week's Sports Illustrated about how "the residents of Miami were raped. Completely."

Sutta writes:

The nine-page article titled, “Art of the Deal Gone Wrong,” profiles Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria’s public relations disaster that just won’t go away. He’s slammed by everyone including auto tycoon Norman Braman who calls him a “jock-sniffer,” while Miami’s Mayor took it a step further.

Tomas Regalado, who hadn’t seen the article until CBS4 showed it to him, is quoted throughout including a line where he says “Miami has a history of bad deals, but I would rate this Number 1.

When asked about the quote, Regalado stood by it.

“I think it’s the truth. I think it was a very bad deal,” he said.

Miami-Dade’s Mayor Carlos Gimenez, another no-vote in the stadium vote several years ago, calls the Marlins carpetbaggers, tone deaf and, “The gift that keeps on giving.”

The Marlins have furthered his political career as well as Regalado’s.

Sports Illustrated also gives us insight into the Marlins. Loria’s former stepson and Marlins President David Samson is quoted saying of the team, “I would’ve sold it opening night. Just walk on the filed, say, ‘Thank you Miami, I love you, this is your ballpark, see you later.’”

Samson also admitted in the article the Marlins are having trouble selling tickets, down from 12,000 season ticket holders last year to just 5,000 this year. 

Probably explains why they're having to sell tickets to Opening Day on Groupon.  And why BizBallMaury predicts zero sellouts this year.  But don't worry, Loria & Samson are doing just fine.