AutoNation is the largest automotive retailer in the United States and is the leading provider of new and pre-owned vehicles. It was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation owns and operates 284 new vehicle franchises, which sell 34 new vehicle brands across 15 states. The current Chairman and CEO is Mike Jackson, former CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America. The current President and Chief Operation Officer is Mike Maroone, previously of Maroone Automotive Group of South Florida.
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at Sun Life Stadium from their inception until 2011. In recent years, the Marlins ownership pushed for a new stadium and agreed to a plan with Miami-Dade County commissioners and the city of Miami to build a $515 million ballpark on the site where the Miami Orange Bowl once stood. As part of the deal, the Marlins changed their name to the Miami Marlins on November 11, 2011. According to Forbes Magazine in 2011 the value of the franchise is $360 million.