The Miami Marlins are being sued by Omeranz & Landsma Corporation, who claim to have purchased the team in a public auction for $10 million.
But there is one major hole in the plaintiff's legal strategy: the entire auction appears to have been an off-the-cuff joke.
The Marlins' Fourth Annual Awards Banquet in 2008 included a public auction, for which team president David Samson served as auctioneer. He opened the proceedings by offering up the Marlins, starting the bidding at $10 million.
The plaintiffs "promptly and in good faith" accepted Samson's offer, bidding $10 million. The lawsuit filing can be read here. "The bidding was closed and plaintiff's bid was the highest and only bid," in the words of the filing.
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The only problem with this entire lawsuit: Samson was probably kidding when he offered the team up for sale. Even if he wasn't, only a fool would start the bidding at $10 million. Team owner Jeffrey Loria purchased the team for 15 times that amount ($158 million, to be exact) in 2002. Needless to say, the team has yet to comply with this "sale," thus necessitating the lawsuit.
Regardless, Omeranz & Landsma are taking the charade seriously, and now the legal system must make time for this seemingly farcical lawsuit.
The filing states Omeranz & Landsma have "suffered damages" as a result, and are seeking damages and "other and further relief as this Court deems necessary."
Either Omeranz & Landsma actually thinks the legal system will enforce this wholly absurd premise, or someone
The suit was filed in Broward County Circuit Court on February 7.
A telephone message left for the Marlins wasn't immediately returned.
