We are not here to mock you, Billy Donovan. Yes, you backed out of your $27.5 million deal to coach the Orlando Magic; but we feel your pain. Steve Spurrier feels your pain. Homer and Ned feel your pain. And the Fort Myers Miracle minor league baseball team, they ... well, OK, they're here to mock you. As you might have heard, June 20 is Billy Donovan Night at the Miracles' Hammond Stadium, where fans will get the chance to opt out of their ticket purchase if they have a change of heart during the Miracles' Class-A Florida State League game with the Tampa Yankees.
The contract, in this case, is the ticket. Fans will have up to the first three innings to restructure their deal, but even that's negotiable. The price of the ticket, the seat location and even a buyout can be arranged. Part of the negotiating process will involve making a free throw. The Miracle will have Fort Myers defense attorney Michael Hornung on site to negotiate settlements. Hornung attended the same high school — St. Agnes on Long Island, N.Y. — as Donovan.
We had forgotten about the free throw clause; looks like Shaq is there for the duration. Other fans who brave the entire nine innings will win free tickets to a Florida Gators basketball game. And as you may have guessed, waffles will be available at the concession stands. Also, the Miracle will have local resident Billy Donovan — not the basketball one — throw out the first pitch. See you there!
Miracle To Celebrate Billy Donovan's Change Of Heart [Fort Myers Miracle]
Spurrier Empathizes With Donovan's Decision [MSNBC]