Marlins, MLB to host news conference today

MIAMI -- Major League Baseball and the Miami Marlins have scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. ET today at Marlins Park to make a "major announcement." No specifics were given, but the press gathering comes days after the Miami Herald reported Marlins Park has been selected to host the 2017 All-Star Game.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, team president David Samson, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and City of Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine are all scheduled to attend. League and team sources have preferred not to comment until the announcement.

The Marlins have never hosted the All-Star Game. The organization was awarded the 2000 Midsummer Classic, only to have the game switched to Turner Field in Atlanta -- which opened in 1997 -- following a period of significant roster upheaval in Miami on the heels of the Marlins' 1997 World Series championship team.

From their inaugural 1993 season through 2011, the Marlins shared Sun Life Stadium with the NFL's Miami Dolphins. In 2012, the organization moved into Marlins Park, and changed from the Florida Marlins to Miami Marlins.

During negotiations for the retractable-roof facility, MLB officials repeatedly informed local officials that franchises who build new ballparks often are awarded All-Star Games shortly afterwards. Marlins Park seats roughly 36,000, plus it can accommodate another 1,000 in standing room areas on the promenade level.

The 2015 All-Star Game will be in Cincinnati, and MLB has named San Diego as the site in 2016. With Marlins Park apparently next in line, the All-Star Game is expected to be played at three straight National League stadiums.

Manfred, who replaced Bud Selig as commissioner in January, has said he plans on adopting a bidding process for future All-Star sites.