The New York Mets are moving closer towards a sale and it sounds increasingly likely that MLB legend Alex Rodriguez will soon become one of the newest owners in baseball.
With multiple groups expected to submit their final bids to purchase the Mets from owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon, Rodriguez and partner Jennifer Lopez could soon be the face of one of MLB’s most popular teams.
Latest on New York Mets sale
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a toll on MLB teams, highlighted by the Atlanta Braves’ staggering revenue hit, the Wilpons have been anxious to sell the team. With the deadline fast approaching, MLB could be headed for its dream scenario.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, multiple league executives believe Rodriguez’s group is the clear-cut favorite to win the bidding for the Mets.
Bidding for controlling ownership stake in the Mets has been contested between three parties. Among them, multi-billionaire Steve Cohen has made a strong push after the original deal to buy the club fell apart in February.
In addition, billionaires Josh Harris and David Blitzer are among the suitors. Both men are owners of the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia 76ers and own partial stakes in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fittingly, the sale of the Mets could go down on the same day as the MLB trade deadline.
How much are the New York Mets worth?
Forbes released both its annual MLB team values and most valuable professional sports teams in recent months. According to their estimates, the Mets are the sixth-highest valued MLB team at $2.4 billion and they rank 41st in all professional sports.
Fred Wilpon bought a controlling share of the Mets in 2002, per ESPN, at a $391 million appraised value. Nearly two decades later, despite the club winning just one NL pennant and zero World Series, the Mets will be sold for a massive sum.
The $2 billion figure would match the MLB record from 2012, when the Los Angeles Dodgers were sold to a group that included NBA legend Magic Johnson.
The estimated sale price of the Mets is $2 billion, which doesn’t include a bid for control of SportsNet New York. Cohen previously submitted individual $2 billion bids for the Mets and the network, but Wilpon is focused on just selling the team.
Alex Rodriguez net worth
Rodriguez, now the Sunday Night Baseball commentator for ESPN, made over $450 million during his MLB career. He would be following in the footsteps of former teammate Derek Jeter, who helped buy the Miami Marlins in 2017.
Jeter owns an estimated 4% stake in the Marlins and serves as the team’s chief executive officer, handling day-to-day operations for the baseball department.
Lopez has an estimated net worth of $400 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The celebrity couple has further financial backing from senior bankers at JP Morgan Chase. If their bid wins, Lopez would be the first Latina owner in MLB history.