What is Motivating Braman In Marlins Lawsuit?

Norman Braman Benefited From Tax Dollars As Former Sports Owner

Aug 18, 2008 John F. O'Connor

Former Philadelphia Eagles Owner Norman Braman is in a lawsuit to stop the Florida Marlins from building their new stadium

One has to wonder what is motivating Miami businessman Norman Braman.

The multi-millionaire auto-dealer is currently in a lawsuit to stop the Florida Marlins from building their new stadium on the site of the Orange Bowl, with groundbreaking scheduled for November

Braman’s case is that any taxpayer money used in the deal should be put to a public vote.

He is known to have a history of fighting against what he sees as the improper use of taxpayer money.

But what’s intriguing about this case is Braman is a former professional sports owner. And he personally benefited from taxpayer money during his time in the limelight.

Norman Braman is the former Philadelphia Eagles owner

Braman, a native of Philadelphia, bought his hometown team on April 29, 1985. At the time, Braman’s purchase of the franchise from trucking magnet Leonard Tose was considered a God Send.

Tose, apparently, had a gambling problem and was known for blowing huge sums of money at nearby Atlantic City Casinos.

The situation got out of hand when news got out that Tose was being courted to move the team to Phoenix, Arizona. (The St. Louis Cardinals moved there not long afterward).

Arizona officials were offering Tose an easy way out of his problems and he could still own the team.

Outraged Philadelphia and Pennsylvania officials began to run interference to save the team.

Tose was forced to sell to Braman and his partner Ed Leibowitz for $65 million. Tose then had to repay Atlantic City casinos $25 million.

Philadelphia builds luxury boxes at Veterans Stadium

After the team was sold, the city of Philadelphia made a move to make sure the Eagles and baseball Philadelphia Phillies would stay put.

They city spent $65 million to build penthouse suites, luxury boxes, and elevators that ringed the top of Veterans Stadium.

In exchange, the teams signed a lease to stay in the city until 2011. That became a moot point in 2003 when Lincoln Financial Field was built for the Eagles, and Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies.

The Vet was torn not long afterward, but Braman was long gone.

He had sold the team to current owner Jeffrey Laurie for $195 million in 1994.

Braman was unpopular as Philadelphia Eagles owner.

Even though Braman saved the team from moving, fans began to turn on him in the early’s 1990’s because he would not spend the money to keep the most popular players with the advent of free agency

The late Reggie White, the most dominant lineman in the game at that time, wanted to stay with the Eagles, but also wanted to be paid what he was worth. He had a public feud with Braman until he signed as a free agent with Green Bay.

Braman also butted heads with popular head coach Buddy Ryan, whose teams made the playoffs three times before being fired in 1991.

Financially, Braman made a huge profit owning the Eagles and benefited from taxpayer dollars while doing it.

Do the good people of Miami know this about their tax fighting crusader?

The copyright of the article What is Motivating Braman In Marlins Lawsuit? in Football is owned by John F. O'Connor. Permission to republish What is Motivating Braman In Marlins Lawsuit? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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