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The Florida Marlins have asked Major League Baseball to host the 2015 All-Star Game, three years after the team’s new stadium is slated to open.
Claude Delorme, senior VP of stadium development, told participants at a recent networking event for contractors seeking stadium work that the team is lobbying for 2015. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig had not yet responded to the request.
Delorme estimated the local economic impact would be $65 million.
“We are very confident that will take place,” he said, but added: “There have been no promises.”
The baseball team and contractor Hunt/Moss are working to have the $640 million, 37,000-seat domed stadium finished by March 2012.
Selig talked about the All-Star Game at the stadium’s July 18 groundbreaking as fans chanted “All-Star Game!” But, he did not give any indication of if and when it was going to happen.
A few days later, on 790 AM The Ticket’s “Dan LeBatard Show,” Marlins President David Samson said Selig promised the stadium will host the game.
Samson also did not say when that might happen, but 2015 may be possible. The New York Mets’ new Citi Field will reportedly get the call in 2013 when the National League hosts the game. An American League city will host the 2014 game.
Hosting the All-Star Game would be another tourism boost for South Florida. The Orange Bowl, torn down to make way for the baseball stadium, hosted five Super Bowls, and Land Shark Stadium has hosted four Super Bowls.
The Marlins have not hosted an All-Star Game, although the team has won two World Series championships. But, other local teams have been host to their league’s top talent. The Miami Heat and Florida Panthers hosted All-Star Games in 1990 and 2003, respectively.
A call seeking comment from Major League Baseball was not immediately returned.
Claude Delorme, senior VP of stadium development, told participants at a recent networking event for contractors seeking stadium work that the team is lobbying for 2015. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig had not yet responded to the request.
Delorme estimated the local economic impact would be $65 million.
“We are very confident that will take place,” he said, but added: “There have been no promises.”
The baseball team and contractor Hunt/Moss are working to have the $640 million, 37,000-seat domed stadium finished by March 2012.
Selig talked about the All-Star Game at the stadium’s July 18 groundbreaking as fans chanted “All-Star Game!” But, he did not give any indication of if and when it was going to happen.
A few days later, on 790 AM The Ticket’s “Dan LeBatard Show,” Marlins President David Samson said Selig promised the stadium will host the game.
Samson also did not say when that might happen, but 2015 may be possible. The New York Mets’ new Citi Field will reportedly get the call in 2013 when the National League hosts the game. An American League city will host the 2014 game.
Hosting the All-Star Game would be another tourism boost for South Florida. The Orange Bowl, torn down to make way for the baseball stadium, hosted five Super Bowls, and Land Shark Stadium has hosted four Super Bowls.
The Marlins have not hosted an All-Star Game, although the team has won two World Series championships. But, other local teams have been host to their league’s top talent. The Miami Heat and Florida Panthers hosted All-Star Games in 1990 and 2003, respectively.
A call seeking comment from Major League Baseball was not immediately returned.
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