 Only when he slashed player costs did the team record a cash surplus, according to the records ... By the end of that championship season [2003], the Marlins posted an operating loss of $43 million — due in part to attendance that was the third-worst in the Major Leagues.Ticket revenue rose the following year as the Marlins charged more and cut back on discounts, but attendance inched up just one notch to fourth-worst in baseball.Only in 2006, after Loria slashed payroll to the lowest in baseball, did the team begin posting healthy operating profits — $110 million [combined in the four seasons from 2006] through 2009.