Radio Station Sues Marlins

The Florida Marlins have been sued by their flagship radio station, claiming last season's breakup of a World Series champion cost it profits.

The lawsuit, filed this week by WQAM and parent company Beasley-Reed Acquisitions, seeks an unspecified reduction in their rights fee from last season and for the next three seasons. Also named as a defendant is Marlins owner Wayne Huizenga's Front Row Communications.

WQAM's five-year, $15 million contract took effect before the 1997 season when the Marlins won the World Series. The station wants to keep the games, but at a reduced price.

The Marlins lost 108 games last season.

Prospective Marlins owner John Henry said Thursday he believes WQAM does not have grounds for a lawsuit and it will not affect his ongoing acquisition of the team from Huizenga.

"If wqam refuses to pay the rights fee, the simplest thing might be to move the games to another station," Henry said. "but I very much hope WQAM will remain our flagship station, and I expect them to be."

Huizenga ordered the Marlins dismantled -- losing stars like Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown and Al Leiter to other teams -- in an effort to sell the team to then Marlins president Don Smiley.

Smiley's bid fell through and Henry's purchase of the team is expected to be approved by major-league owners in meetings Jan. 12-14 in California.

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