Marlins Threaten To Sue Season-Ticket Holders Over Seating Dispute
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A couple of long-time Marlins fans say they may have to find a new team after the Marlins threatened to sue the season ticket holders for not paying for their second year of tickets.
Janice and Bill Leon have held front-row season tickets to Marlins games for years. The Leons stuck with the team when it moved to Marlins Park and entered into a two-year season ticket agreement for $25,000 per year.
However, Janice Leon says last year the team installed a ground-level billboard that they say blocks part of their view. Leon says the Marlins did move the pad above the billboard down several inches after they complained but it wasn't enough.
"It's dangerous," said Janice Leon."We can't see, a ball could come flying at us. If you want us to keep these tickets, if you want us to be Marlin fans move us farther down the row."
The Marlins issued a statement saying in part, "We have offered Ms. Leon numerous opportunities to move to a different seat location, and each time she has refused to move. We would be happy to assist Ms. Leon in relocating her tickets to seats that do not have this allegedly obstructed view."
Janice Leon says the Marlins offered them seats a couple rows back or farther to the side.
"That's not what we pay for," she said. So, she says, they didn't pay. "They did warn me 'by the way if you don't take your seats there's a good chance that they may sue you' and at that point I thought they were really kidding," said Leon.
That was until she got an email telling her she owed the full $25,000 plus $292 in late payments because the bill was five months behind. If she didn't pay the letter said the Marlins have "the right to pursue any and all legal and equitable remedies available."
The team said it's unable to move the advertising that's allegedly partially blocking the Leon's view. The Marlins statement ended with this line. "We value our fans and will continue to do our very best to offer them a wonderful baseball experience."
