After just 14 months with the organization, Chip Bowers is out as the Marlins' president of business operations, a source confirms.
Bowers' departure shakes up the franchise's executive team early into the tenure of the new ownership group, led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter.
A team source said the decision was not related to the low attendance at Marlins Park. Miami is drawing a league-worst 9,651 people through 18 home games. The organization finished last in attendance in 2018 as well.
Adam Jones, who formerly served as vice president of strategy and development, will now take over as chief revenue officer. Fellow executive Caroline O'Connor, senior vice president and chief of staff, will now serve as chief operating officer. Jones and O'Connor are both considered two of Jeter's most trusted advisers.
Sirius XM's Craig Mish first reported the moves.
After the Marlins' new ownership group acquired the franchise in September 2017, Miami hired Bowers as its president of business operations five months later. The former executive previously spent six years with the Golden State Warriors as chief marketing officer.
He also had stints with the Orlando Magic, Seattle SuperSonics and San Diego Padres.
During his tenure, Bowers was the public face for the Marlins' business team, speaking frequently to the media as the team unveiled a number of new ideas.
This offseason, the Marlins overhauled their in-stadium experience and re-branded their logo and jerseys. A source says the enhancements and re-branding were in motion before Bowers joined the organization.
On the business side, the Marlins find themselves in a crucial stretch that could determine the organization's long-term financial sustainability.
The franchise is currently valued at $1 billion _ last in the league _ per Forbes' latest report. The Marlins also finished with the lowest amount of local revenue _ $72 million _ according to the study.
Two of the crucial building blocks for the Marlins are the on-going negotiations for a new TV contract and the search for stadium naming rights. Bowers was not integrally involved in those aspects, however.
Jones has served as the point person for the TV deal, while vice president of corporate partnerships David Oxfeld is handling stadium naming rights.
