David Samson
David Samson
baseball city franchise gateway people team took washington
Miami, the Gateway to the Americas, could well be the first American city in 35 years to see its baseball franchise leave. People in Washington D.C. know very well how long it took to get a team back.
baseball best building built chance discovered keeping somewhere south team
We've discovered now that our best chance, and the best chance for baseball in South Florida, is to get a building built somewhere and making it work. The important thing is keeping the team here.
baseball cities deal focused front gets looking name player specific stadium
I don't think one player gets a stadium deal done. Cities that want baseball want it for 50 years. They're looking for the name on the front of the jersey. They're not focused on a specific player.
baseball imagine involved looking
To imagine baseball getting involved is not far-fetched. How the involvement will end up looking is not yet determined.
again baseball cities couple exploring focus great hope mayor meet next officials wants year
Right now we are working with the officials of Hialeah, and we're working with the mayor there. He's a great man. He's got vision. He wants to see baseball there. He's doing his work; we're doing our work. We hope to meet again in the next couple of weeks. We're exploring other cities with the focus still on Florida. We'll see how the year progresses.
anywhere attending baseball believe build building drive far north people perfect seen site south spot sticks teach tradition west
I haven't seen a spot that really sticks out anywhere in South Florida. There is no perfect site. If you are too far south, the people north are unhappy. If you're too far east, the people out west are unhappy. So, I believe now the new perfect site is anywhere, and we'll teach people how to drive to the stadium. We'll build a tradition in this building for 30-40 years, and people will be more comfortable attending baseball games.
ask attract baseball businesses corporate deciding decisions government help
Governments do make decisions when they attract businesses to the community. Baseball is not the only industry, by any stretch, to ask for government help when deciding where to have its corporate headquarters.
baseball florida longer south
No longer can baseball in South Florida be assured,
best crew happen
We do have the best grounds crew in the sport. But sometimes things happen that are out of their control.
choice deal definitely happen recognize time trying
We're definitely negotiating with everybody, and we're trying to get a deal done here because it is our first choice. But we recognize it may not happen and we don't have much time left.
built five focus last seven south staying teams
Our focus is on staying in South Florida, that's our only goal. Five of the last seven new (major league) ballparks were built after teams started to relocate and didn't.
business conversation cooperate indication initial interest mayor political progress time
We have made progress from an initial conversation to an indication of interest from the business community, from the cooperate community, from the fans, from the political community. We're serious, because Jeffrey and the mayor would not allocate their time this way if they weren't.
chance good hello innings nine opportunity people quality spend
We thought it would be a good opportunity to have a chance to say hello and get to know them. The commissioners are very important people in the community. We want to spend a quality nine innings with them.
answer asked both few questions
We asked them a few questions, they asked us a few questions. We're both going to answer each other's questions and then see about another meeting.