MIAMI -- Florida Marlins President David Samson said for the first time that the Marlins are receptive to building the team's new stadium at the Orange Bowl. Addressing the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Samson said, "Right now, we're focused on the Orange Bowl." He expressed much more optimism than in the past, when talks have fallen apart, Local 10 reported.

Recently, Miami and Miami-Dade commissioners have met with Major League Baseball officials about building a stadium that would keep the Marlins in South Florida.

Samson expressed frustration on Friday that there isn't more movement after $50 million in bond money was freed up by the University of Miami's decision in August to leave the Orange Bowl next season for Dolphin Stadium. That money was already approved to renovate the Orange Bowl and could now be used to fund the gap between the Marlins and the government.

Until now, the Marlins had suggested they would be much happier in a downtown stadium. But with their lease at Dolphin Stadium expiring in 2010, there's more urgency to get a deal done at whatever site is most feasible, Local 10 reported.

Miami-Dade County manager George Burgess told Local 10, "There's more opportunity to get this done than in years."