Mariners report losing $4.5 million in 2008

[March 10, 2009]  SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners not only racked up a losing baseball season in 2008, they lost $4.5 million as well.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, citing documents the team filed Monday with the Public Facilities District, reports it's the first such loss for the team since moving into Safeco Field in 1999.

The Mariners lost 101 games and drew 2.3 million fans last year, the worst home attendance since the team moved to Safeco. The last time Seattle drew 3 million fans was in 2003.

The Mariners had a $120 million payroll in 2008, up from $113 million in 2007, when the club reported a $17.8 million profit.

___

Information from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, http://www.seattle-pi.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.