Marlins unveil plans for Miami Live! at loanDepot park. Aims for dining/entertainment hub

The Miami Marlins are banking on boosting the team’s sagging popularity and making loanDepot park a year-round destination for indoor-outdoor dining and entertainment in a newly designed West Plaza called Miami Live!, the franchise announced Tuesday.

The Marlins have partnered with the Cordish Companies, a Baltimore-based real-estate development company that has led similar projects at several Major League Baseball stadiums, including Texas Live! at the Texas Rangers ballpark in Arlington, Texas, and KC Live! in Kansas City. David Cordish, Cordish CEO and chairman, has a home on Fisher Island.

“They [Cordish Companies] really do a great job of tailoring their offerings to the local community and building great partners and creating something that is a thriving destination for the community all year long,” said Caroline O’Connor, president of the Marlins’ business operations.

The development is projected to create more than 200 jobs in the construction and hospitality sectors, said O’Connor. Opening day will be early 2026.

The project is a private investment that will be funded by the Marlins Bureau of Ownership groups, O’Connor said. Bruce Sherman is the Marlins principal owner.

Though the exact budget for the project is still in the works, O’Connor said, Texas Live! was built on a $250 million budget, according to its website.

“This privately financed project embodies Miami-Dade’s innovative spirit, and at zero cost to taxpayers, will provide an even greater experience for residents and visitors alike,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a press release.

Controversy over public financing of stadium

The financing behind constructing the Marlins stadium has been controversial since the ballpark opened in 2012. The stadium’s construction costs—estimated at $634 million—were financed through public funds, with 80% provided by the city of Miami and the county.

Miami-Dade County covered about $359 million and the city of Miami took on $119 million, using taxpayer dollars instead of Jeffrey Loria, then the team owner, paying for the stadium through private financing. Loria sold the team in 2017 for $1.2 billion, or about $1 billion more than he paid for it.

READ MORE: How could Jeffrey Loria claim no profits on his $1.2 billion sale of the Miami Marlins?

Proponents of the new stadium said its construction would revitalize the Little Havana neighborhood around it and stimulate local economic growth. That didn’t happen.

Stadium proponents also said the Marlins, whose first season was in 1993, would field a more competitive team with the projected increased revenues from their new home.

That, too, hasn’t happened. Since 2012, when the new stadium opened, the Marlins have had only two winning seasons in the 13 seasons since, according to Major League Baseball. For the 2024 season, the Marlins’ $97 million payroll ranked 27th out of 30 MLB teams.

As a result of the team’s poor performance, the Marlins have been in the cellar in ticket sales. The team ranked 29th out of 30 teams in Major League Baseball game attendance for the past four years, according to ESPN. They ranked 30th in 2018 and 2019.

Envision year-round hub

The Marlins are hoping to rebuild the fan base — and get the community heading to loanDepot park as a dining and entertainment destination.

David Cordish envisions Miami Live! as more than just a game-day destination, emphasizing its success hinges on being a year-round hub.

Miami Live! will be free for the public to go in and out as they please, Cordish said.

“Anybody is welcome, and that’s a very important point,” Cordish said. “If you just want to come in and stand around and soak up the atmosphere and look at the big screen, fine.”

Cordish also wants to see Miami Live! as a gathering spot for the community to watch away games, as they plan to have large LED screens.

“This project represents our commitment to our community, as we develop our ballpark’s campus to feature dining, entertainment, and gathering options for everyone to enjoy,” said Sherman, the team’s chairman and principal owner. Miami Live! will be a vibrant hub to gather and create lasting memories for all who visit.”

Other ballparks with Live!

This project is the latest Cordish Companies project under their Live! patent.

The “Live!” brand is a prominent aspect of The Cordish Companies’ portfolio, encompassing entertainment districts, casinos and hotels. Notable projects include Texas Live!, Xfinity Live!, Kansas City Live! and Bally Sports Live!

David Cordish believes Miami Live! will follow the success of their past projects. Live! Branded properties have over 55 million visitors annually, according to the company’s website.

For Cordish, the key to success is the company’s involvement in every single step of the project. Cordish Companies serve as the real-estate developers, architects, engineers, contractors and tenants, said Cordish.

“I think one of the big reasons why this works so well is [because] we’re one-stop shopping, just like the walls that have been here forever. We’re going to be here forever, and it allows you to do things the best.”

This story was originally published January 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Marlins unveil plans for Miami Live! at loanDepot park. Aims for dining/entertainment hub."