Buccaneer
04-17-2006, 05:16 PM
SAN ANTONIO -- Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Monday that he is imposing a May 15 deadline for the Florida Marlins to commit to moving to San Antonio.
Wolff told the San Antonio Express-News in a story posted on the paper's online edition that he would fax a letter with the deadline to David Samson, president of the National League club.
"We have received the letter, but we have no comment," Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello said Monday afternoon.
Wolff, point man in discussions on bringing the team to South Texas, tells the Marlins in the letter obtained by the newspaper, "We need to fish or cut bait by May 15."
San Antonio has been trying to lure the team, and county officials have offered to put up $200 million toward an estimated $300 million ballpark if voters approve extending a tax on hotel and car rentals.
If voters are to be asked in November to consider extending the tax, then Wolff says he needs the answer from the Marlins soon. He said he faces an Aug. 15 deadline to get the issue on the ballot Nov. 7. Details between the county and the team would have to be worked out before then.
Wolff said the Marlins have told him a baseball stadium in San Antonio would cost $310 million.
"There are only a few moments in the life of a city when political will and leadership are coupled with the financial ability to forge a public-private partnership to build a major sports facility for a relocating team," his letter states. "That moment now exists in San Antonio. It would be in the 'best interest of Baseball' for the Marlins to seize this moment."
Wolff told the San Antonio Express-News in a story posted on the paper's online edition that he would fax a letter with the deadline to David Samson, president of the National League club.
"We have received the letter, but we have no comment," Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello said Monday afternoon.
Wolff, point man in discussions on bringing the team to South Texas, tells the Marlins in the letter obtained by the newspaper, "We need to fish or cut bait by May 15."
San Antonio has been trying to lure the team, and county officials have offered to put up $200 million toward an estimated $300 million ballpark if voters approve extending a tax on hotel and car rentals.
If voters are to be asked in November to consider extending the tax, then Wolff says he needs the answer from the Marlins soon. He said he faces an Aug. 15 deadline to get the issue on the ballot Nov. 7. Details between the county and the team would have to be worked out before then.
Wolff said the Marlins have told him a baseball stadium in San Antonio would cost $310 million.
"There are only a few moments in the life of a city when political will and leadership are coupled with the financial ability to forge a public-private partnership to build a major sports facility for a relocating team," his letter states. "That moment now exists in San Antonio. It would be in the 'best interest of Baseball' for the Marlins to seize this moment."