According to Sportico, at least five groups submitted bids on Thursday to buy the New York Mets. Several people involved in the bidding were granted anonymity due to the nature of the affair.
The bids are also anonymous and are non-binding, meaning that the prospective buyers can change their bids as the auction for the Mets continues. The whole affair is being handled by investment bank Allen & Co. which declined comment on today’s matters.
On Thursday night, Newsday’s Tim Healey tweeted that according to a source, Mets minority owner Steve Cohen did, in fact, submit a bid. Much speculation has surrounded billionaire Steve Cohen since his failed attempt to buy the Mets in February. He is a life-long fan of the team and has an 8% stake in the franchise already.
Reports indicate that Cohen has met with the Wilpons to clear the air over the February falling out. Indications are that things are patched up between the two parties.
Another suitor is the consortium led by Josh Harris and David Blitzer. The two are looking to add the Mets to a sports portfolio that already contains the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils and their arena, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as well as English Premier League team Crystal Palace.
Alex Rodriguez and his fiancé, Jennifer Lopez, are part of a group that includes Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola and Vitaminwater co-founder Michael Repole. The Reuben Brothers are also interested along with at least one or two mystery bidders.
The New York Post reports “suitors will be making indicative offers, meaning they will not be making binding bids. The point of the deadline is to see how much everyone might be willing to offer, and perhaps to winnow the field. Then the Mets will show their full financials to the survivors and ask for committed offers within a few months.”
Fox Business News has been following the sale closely. Their reporter, Charles Gasparino, indicates that Cohen is still the favorite to land the Mets but cautioned in a tweet:
RE Steve Cohen buying @Mets its fair to say on paper he's in the lead, & yes he's been talking to the Wilpons. BUT I know this guy. He feels he was burned the first time by them & he's not getting burned twice. This aint done until its done. He can walk & keep his season tickets
— Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) July 8, 2020
Reportedly, $2 billion dollars is said to be a likely target for the Mets, more if SNY is included. This is obviously a fluid story and when news arises, MMO will report on it promptly.
