Marlins reportedly trying to seize property in lawsuit against season ticket holder

The Miami Marlins have been suing former season ticket holders and luxury suite owners for several years, and they’re taking their legal efforts a step further with one fan who allegedly walked away from his seats while owing nearly $100,000.

According to court records obtained by the Miami New Times, the Marlins are suing a fan named Kenneth Sack and attempting to seize a $725,000 building he owns in Oakland Park. Sack reportedly signed a four-year contract for season tickets at $16,200 per seat in 2012. The total bill was $129,000, but Sack wanted out after the first season. The Marlins are now suing him for $97,200 and are trying to seize his building. Here’s more:

In January, the team won a judgment against Sack for the full $97,200, but his attorney appealed because the lawyer had missed key hearings and filings after suffering a heart attack and spending months in the hospital. That civil case remains open.

But in the meantime, the team has used that judgment to try to nab a building owned by Sack. On March 12, the Marlins initiated a foreclosure proceeding for a commercial building Sack owns in Oakland Park, arguing that they can seize the property to fulfill the $97,200 he owes them; they ask the judge to appoint a receiver so they can begin collecting rent from the location. (Oddly, county property appraisers say the building at 5090 N. Dixie Hwy. is actually worth $725,000.)

Sack is one of at least nine former season ticket holders who have been sued by the team. Fans who signed contracts with the team claimed they were promised perks like free buffets, private parking, and separate stadium entrances, but the team never delivered.

“I didn’t want my money back or anything, but I said, ‘Please give me back the stuff you promised,'” a former season ticket holder told the New Times last year. “The answer I got back was basically, ‘Yeah, we know we took it all away, but tough sh–.'”

Team owner Jeffrey Loria has been in negotiations to sell the Marlins, and fans will not be sad to see him go. There have been countless examples over the years (here’s one of the better ones) illustrating how terrible the relationship is between the team and its fans. The lawsuits certainly haven’t helped in that department.

H/T Deadspin