The Business of Sports

NHL's impending collective bargaining showdown ominous for Florida Panthers

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:27:48 -0500

The first step toward completing the lockout trifecta was taken last week when the NHL notified the league’s players association that it wants to modify or terminate the collective bargaining agreement. That was not unexpected, though the league and the players had the option to let the current CBA, due to expire Sept. 15, continue for another year. It sets up the prospect of the NHL becoming the third league in the past year to impose a work stoppage, following the lead of the NFL and NBA. That would be a blow to the Florida Panthers’ hopes of building on their first trip to the playoffs in 12 years. Not only did the team make notable strides under GM Dale Tallon’s plan, the playoff series against the Devils brought a level of excitement that hadn’t been seen in the Panthers’ years at BankAlantic Center. Consider the Tampa Bay Lightning, who won the Stanley Cup in 2004 and had to wait a year to defend it due to the lockout that wiped out the 2005-05 season. That cost them their star goalie to free agency, and it took them six years to mount another serious playoff run.

Palm Beaches Marathon gets revitalization under new management

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:32:58 -0500

The purchase of the Palm Beaches Marathon by the company that has driven the rapid growth of the ING Miami Marathon is a positive development for South Florida runners. The Palm Beaches Marathon, run in early December the past eight years, was acquired this week by US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, which has operated the Miami event since 2007. During that time the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon has grown from 9,100 participants to a sellout of 25,000 in January. Meanwhile, the Palm Beach race, one of South Florida’s Big Three marathons, has been on shaky ground since the Chamber of Commerce sold it in 2009 to a Chicago-based road race management group, BDO Management. Last year’s race was beset with problems and participant complaints following uncertainty as to whether it would even be held.

First chance for Dolphins' 2012 single-game tickets with express bus

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:43:30 -0500

It’s the tailgate party without the hassle of driving, parking or food prep. That seems to be the appeal of the Dolphins Express bus service which has been running to Miami Dolphins games from Duffy’s Sports Grills since 2009. Dolphins Express game packages went on sale this week for the upcoming season. At the moment it is the only way to get Dolphins single-game tickets for 2012.

Marlins Park grass has tough first month - just like the team

Wed, 02 May 2012 01:57:04 -0500

MIAMI Not only have the Marlins hit a rough patch on the field, so has their field. Brown patches of grass were scattered throughout the playing surface at Marlins Park during the last homestand. “I would say that the sod had as difficult an April as the team did,” Marlins President David Samson said after the Marlins lost three of four to the Diamondbacks and ended the opening month of the season 8-14. The Marlins are considering bringing in grow lamps with the field getting less sunlight than anticipated.

Rose, Bulls top NBA merchandise sales; James, Heat rank 4th

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:17:38 -0500

NBA merchandising has taken a bullish turn with the Chicago Bulls and star point guard Derrick Rose ranked No. 1 in sales of team merchandise and jersey sales, respectively. The Miami Heat and LeBron James rank fourth in both categories, bases on sales at NBAStore.com and the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue from April 2011 to present. Dwyane Wade is sixth in jersey sales. The other member of the Heat’s Big Three, Chris Bosh, is not among the top 15. New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin, whose jersey rocketed to No.1 at the height of Lin-sanity in February and March, is now No.2. Lin has been sidelined with a knee injury and is questionable for the playoffs.

Bus service offers alternative to driving to Marlins Park

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:22:44 -0500

Traffic and parking around Marlins Park is proving less of an issue than generally forecast. But the trip to Little Havana is daunting to some in Broward and Palm Beach counties. One option gaining traction is to leave the driving to Ballgame Express. The upstart bus service is offering round-trip transportation to the ballpark from World of Beer and Hooters locations in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The ride costs $30, and game tickets can also be purchased, depending on availability. For pricing and schedule, visit BallgameExpress.com.

Panthers-Devils Game 7 tickets a bargain by NHL standards

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:00:31 -0500

With an average ticket price of $100.85, the Panthers-Devils winner-take-all showdown Thursday is a steal for a Game 7 in the NHL playoffs. The game will begin at 8:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on FSF. The Devils' 3-2 overtime victory Tuesday in New Jersey set up Thursday's finale of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The Panthers, trying to win their first playoff series since they defeated Pittsburgh in seven games in the 1996 conference finals, have won two of three games so far at BankAtlantic Center. Two other Eastern Conference quarterfinals have also been pushed to the limit. According to SeatGeek.com, the average price on the resale market for Thursday’s Senators-Rangers Game 7 in New York is $353.78, while tickets to Wednesday night’s Capitals-Bruins Game 7 in Boston are averaging $263.85.

Dolphins tickets among NFL's cheapest on resale market

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:42:13 -0500

The vital importance of the upcoming NFL Draft to the Dolphins is most evident in their ongoing struggle to sell tickets. The Dolphins literally couldn’t give away tickets last season. Fan disdain has continued to grow amid reports of season-ticket sales for 2012 at about half the 60,000 level it reached in 2005. That is also reflected in the ticket resale market. According to the ticket search engine SeatGeek.com, Dolphins tickets are among the least expensive in the NFL for the upcoming season, with only two of the team’s eight home games ranking in the top half of 2012 NFL games in terms of average price.

Lone protester voices dissent of Guillen's return as Marlins manager

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:09:54 -0500

MIAMI The mood on the west plaza outside Marlins Park was festive rather than fiery Tuesday as manager Ozzie Guillen returned from suspension for remarks that offended many in the Cuban-American community. A merengue band played in honor of Dominican Heritage Night. Here and there couples stopped to dance on their way into the ballpark. The only hint of dissent was from Jay Fernandez, of Kendall, standing casually and alone on the corner across 16th Avenue. His protest sign rested against a bench, facing away so it could not be read. The concealed message was: “No Apologies Fire Him Now.”

Trailer for 'The Franchise' shows Guillen informed of suspension

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:23:32 -0500

This is the trailer for the preview of “The Franchise: A Season With the Miami Marlins” that will air Saturday at 9 p.m. on Showtime. The 2-minute, 48-minute clip includes footage of Marlins President David Samson informing manger Ozzie Guillen of his five-game suspension due to his comments about Fidel Castro. The second season of the Showtime reality series will debut with a one-hour episode July 11, the night after the All-Star Game. Regular half-hour episodes will follow on Wednesday night’s during an eight-week season.

Marlins donate $155,000 to charities; Guillen's docked pay will go to Cuban rights groups

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:02:38 -0500

The $155,000 in donations the Marlins presented to three charities at Marlins Park last weekend well before manager Ozzie Guillen’s infamous “I love Castro” remark upset many of their new neighbors. With their move to Miami, the Marlins have been reaching out to various organizations in Miami-Dade County through their Marlins Foundation. Contributions presented during the team’s first homestand to Shake-A-Leg Miami, Miracle League of Miami Dade and the Jackie Robinson Foundation were part of an ongoing outreach program that also operated when the team played at Sun Life Stadium as the Florida Marlins. Guillen’s comments couldn’t have been more ill-advised for a franchise trying to establish itself in an area known as Little Havana. But some groups in the Cuban community will benefit.

NHL Winter Classic not likely to float in Miami

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:52:38 -0500

SUNRISE The NFL is taking a bold risk by staging the Super Bowl outdoors in New York in February 2014. Why not hold an NHL Winter Classic in Miami’s Marlins Park with the roof open? NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has been a staunch supporter of hockey in South Florida through the Panthers’ lean years of lousy play and shaky attendance. During Friday’s first playoff game here in 12 years, he lauded the franchise’s resiliency and fan loyalty, and said the future is bright. But that apparently does not apply to outdoor hockey in South Florida. Bettman virtually melted hope of a Winter Classic next to the Clevelander pool -- even though the league once staged an exhibition in Las Vegas outside Caesar's Palace (video above).

NHL chief Bettman: Good times ahead for Panthers, South Florida hockey

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:27:21 -0500

SUNRISE Commissioner Gary Bettman, on hand to watch the Panthers’ first playoff game in 12 years on Friday night, said this turnaround season has shown a resiliency for the franchise and believes “there are good times ahead” for hockey in South Florida. “The buzz is great. I get down here a lot, and the buzz down here has been great all season,” Bettman said. “I’m happy for the fans down here that have so loyally and spectacularly supported this franchise over the years. … This is a team that through some lean times has gotten really good fan support, and it is only going to increase as the team’s performance increases.

Marlins' Webb runs in Rocky's footsteps

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:04:58 -0500

PHILADELPIA -- An indication that manager Ozzie Guillen’s problems haven’t been a distraction to the Marlins was the off-day exploits of a couple of relief pitchers. On Tuesday, while Guillen was in Miami oding his mea culpa for his “I love Castro” comments, Steve Cishek and Ryan Webb went sightseeing.

Florida Panthers in the spotlight of TV commercial for Stanley Cup Playoffs

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:29:39 -0500

The Florida Panthers are being featured in a television commercial for the Stanley Cup Playoffs that is already grabbing attention on YouTube. And why not, after a 12-year absence the Panthers are the novelty act of this postseason.