Report: Marlins have sued at least nine season-ticket holders
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The Miami Marlins have sued at least nine season-ticket holders and luxury suite owners dating back to 2013, the Miami New Timesreports.
Additionally, two stadium vendors are reportedly in the midst of legal battles with the franchise, alleging the Marlins promised “robust crowds” and failed to follow through.
One longtime season-ticket holder, Mickey Axelband, told the New Times the Marlins sued him last year alleging that he illegally backed out of a two-year season ticket agreement. He said he opted to walk away from the deal he signed because he felt the team had failed to live up to its own promises, including parking spaces, a private entrance and buffets for ticket holders. The diminishing returns drove him away.
One former ballpark vendor, Rene Prats, told the New Times he went into bankruptcy because his Sir Pizza franchises were unsuccessful at the team’s recently-constructed stadium.
“You bamboozled us for this ballpark and now you have the audacity to sue a small businessman?” Prats said. “I lost it all. I lost my business. And you're coming after me?”
Prats is a former NFL agent turned restauranteur who originally signed on as the team’s official pizza sponsor before walking away due to the lack of profits. The Marlins are suing him, according to the report, alleging that he used shell companies to hide finances and that he entered their agreement knowing he’d be unable to afford the $2 million fee for ballpark overhead. Sir Pizza’s attorney told the New Times the corporation blames Prats for the failure.
Read the full report here.
