Featured Stories | Miami Marlins

By Stephen Diener |

Source: Miami Marlins Plan to Furlough Some Staff on June 1

On the heels of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing Wednesday that all professional sports leagues are invited to continue in our state, a person close to the Miami Marlins says the team will temporarily furlough 90 to 100 baseball operations employees starting on June 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The person confirmed the furloughs to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity, because the Marlins have not commented publicly.

Nearly 40 percent of Miami’s baseball operations staff will be affected, with the status of those employees to be evaluated monthly, the person said. However, their health benefits will remain in effect through October.

Last month, Marlins CEO Derek Jeter told employees that he was forgoing his salary during the pandemic, as other members of the executive team also agreed to take pay cuts.

MLB’s opening day was to have been March 26. Since then, owners have considered the possibility of starting the season around the Fourth of July, in stadiums without fans.

The Marlins were valued at $1 billion, placing last in the league, according to a 2019 Forbes report. They also finished with the lowest amount of local revenue, at just $72 million, the study explains.

Miami is negotiating a new contract with Fox Sports Florida. Their current deal, which expires at the end of this season, pays the team just $15 million to $20 million per year.

By comparison, the Philadelphia Phillies reportedly make $100 million a year from their TV deal.