Future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and former Florida governor Jeb Bush have both been previously reported as potential buyers for the Marlins, but the two have now teamed up in their pursuit of the franchise, reports Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald. The primary competitor for the Bush-Jeter group appears to by New York financier Wayne Rothbaum, according to Hanks, though other groups could yet be involved in the pursuit.
Marlins president David Samson has been candid about the possibility of a sale this year, and owner Jeffrey Loria has acknowledged that there have been inquiries from potential buyers. Loria reportedly had a “handshake agreement” in place to sell the team for $1.6 billion to a group led by Joshua Kushner — the brother of Jared Kushner, who serves as a senior advisor to his father-in-law, president Donald Trump. However, Kushner reportedly did not have enough liquid assets to make the purchase at that price, and eventual rumors that Loria could be named the United States ambassador to France further complicated that potential sale. Kushner eventually issued a statement indicating that he would no longer pursue the deal.
It’s not known at this time exactly what price the Loria is eyeing in a potential sale, though some reports since the first word of the handshake agreement with Kushner have suggested that the team could sell for quite a bit less than that $1.6 billion figure. It stands to reason, though, that the Bush-Jeter group would need additional members in order to pool the requisite funds to make a purchase feasible. Jeter is one of the wealthiest stars in MLB history but still saw his career earnings end up around $265MM (though that figure does not include the undoubtedly sizable sum he has earned from endorsement deals over the past two-plus decades, to say nothing of other investments and ventures).
Charlie Gasparino and Brian Schwartz of FOX Business reported earlier this month that Jeter was working with former Morgan Stanley brokering chief Gregory Fleming (who is now with a small brokerage firm in New York, per AdvisorHub.com’s Mason Bradwell) in his effort to purchase the club. Bush, meanwhile, was said by the FOX Business duo to have enlisted Citigroup to help finance a potential bid. It’s possible that all of those parties have merged to form one cohesive effort at purchasing the Marlins organization, though concrete details on the matter have yet to emerge.
As long as neither are heavily involved in the decision making, let it happen
Why is that?
I enjoy the fact that this article refers to him as “the Loria”.
I realize it’s a typo but I hope it stays.
Screen Shots are forever.
The Loria is now angry.
You really want “low energy” Jeb Bush to factor in decision making? Trump tore him apart.
Jeb!
Jeter and Jeb!
It’s like a sitcom.
Yes, but not quite the TV reality show that might have been with the potential sale to billionaire Joshua Kushner. At least President Trump might have been more inclined to throw out the first pitch to the Marlins season opener instead of snubbing MLB this season. lol
If you watch baseball to see who throws out the first pitch, I think the game might be wrong for you. Anyways Trump would be too busy golfing an hour away down in the winer white house that he stays at every weekend to be throwing a ceremonial first pitch.
The local teams to DC have stated they will not make the offer to president trump due to their political views. So blame the teams, not Trump.
I’d venture to guess that most billionaire sports owners lean Republican but clearly the fan base is another matter, particularly in a city like Washington D.C. President Trump isn’t exactly the most popular politician anyway and also seems pretty thin skinned as well. I’m sure he wasn’t too thrilled to be going into a hornets nest of angry Democrats and others who just might be inclined to boo him worse than any umpire or player on an opposing team.
Jeter’s always been a fan of Bush.
W
Even in the event King George wanted back into MLB as an owner he would have to get a new monicker. I heard billionaire Tom Ricketts has already patented the W for exclusive use by the Cubs. lol
He could get away with “Dubya” however.
lol
I like what you did there.
Very nice
On Opening Day, Jeb will throw Trump onto the field, yelling..”LOW ENERGY THIS!!!!!”. Jeter will stand there and say “Well, that went well I think…..”
“Introducing the 2018 Miami Marlins! Please clap!”
Forget the Marlins! Please buy the Cardinals Derrick!!!!!!
Well, whoever buys the team, they’ll almost have to be better owners than Loria has been.