Welcome to the Banana Republic.

So, the city of Miami was expected to vote on the proposed project to build a new ballpark in downtown Miami at the old site of the Orange Bowl. Guess what – it didn’t happen.

With only four commissioners present – of the nine total – the deal was looking for a collapse as support has seemed to, suddenly, wain.

There are several sticking points – the main ones seemed to be focused on cost overruns for the project as well as the funding for the parking garage and the allocation of revenue from the naming rights. The city and county want more revenue paid to them from the naming rights.

The Marlins stance seems to be they are very unlikely to negotiate those three main points of contention without reopening the entire project’s plans and renegotiate the entire deal.

Why a deal that was approved in the past now seems to be sputtering is confusing to say the least, but in light of the current state of the economy, everyone seems to be looking for their “bailout” or golden parachute. The Marlins organization had negotiated their way into one, and now it seems there are holes in the plan which are being exploited for alterior motives.

Mayor Manny Diaz, however, is a supporter of the stadium plan for several reasons. For starters, he views the plan as a means to create jobs as surely construction would require manpower as well as the operation of the stadium would secure jobs in that capacity. As for the funding, Diaz supports the plan as he claims most of the $600 million dollars will be furnished by tourism taxes – and equates the building of the stadium to public investment in parks and performing arts theaters.

One thing is for sure, the Marlins final hope at getting a stadium has hit a snag and unless some questions are answered and compromises made, there will be no future in Miami for the Marlins.