The race to buy the New York Mets from the Wilpons is on. Former baseball star Alex Rodriguez and his fiancée, successful singer, actress and entrepreneur Jennifer Lopez, are leading a group of investors that just got bigger.
The famous pair has managed to recruit a star-studded cast of investors in their bid to acquire the Mets. It looks like this, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN:
- Former NFL linebacker Brian Urlacher
- Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce
- Three-time Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray
- Former NFL offensive lineman Joe Thomas
- Current Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal
- Current Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee
The day set by the managing firm for interested parties to submit their bids was July 9. A-Rod and J-Lo’s group made an initial bid of close to $2 billion, significantly more than the $1.7 billion that was initially reported.
Reports indicate that “J-Rod’s” bid is very competitive and close to what billionaire hedge funder Steve Cohen offered this time around.
Cohen still interested in buying the Mets
It is important to remember that Cohen was very close to acquiring the New York Mets before the transaction fell through back in February. Back then, the franchise was valued at $2.6 billion.
Indications are that the Wilpon family would prefer to sell to Rodriguez and Lopez’s group if the bids are close enough.
“Being a former athlete and having a chance to be a part of a group trying to purchase a professional team, it’s pretty cool,” Urlacher said on Monday. “It’s especially cool to be involved with Alex. Alex is the man. You’ve got Kelce, Joe Thomas, DeMarco Murray. It’s great to be in a group with them.”
For now, the Mets are currently preparing their season while hosting training camp at Citi Field. They will play against eastern foes, meaning that they will face the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in addition to their regular rivals: Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals.