New York Mets: Wilpons Won’t Sell SNY With the Team

Apr 13, 2018; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon greets New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier (21) during batting practice before game against Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

As baseball continues to take a seat with the Coronavirus pandemic running rampant in the U.S., the Wilpons are still searching for the right buyer for the New York Mets. One guarantee of the future sale is that SNY will continue to belong to the Wilpons no matter what.

SNY has been the Mets network where a majority of the games air since 2006. The unwillingness to part ways with the network cause a conflict with Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez’s bid to acquire the franchise. SNY makes money while the Mets are losing up to $90 million per season. The Mets games are going to be on SNY for at least ten more years, which is a guaranteed profit for whoever owns the team.

One Controversial Group Against Another

The Wilpons 65 percent ownership of SNY is what levels off the high loss from owning the Mets. Steve Cohen was the only one willing to strike a deal without SNY. While the Mets have been struggling to make money without baseball games, the Wilpons have made a move to ask their minority owners to make commitments to the team.

A-Rod has found biotech investor Wayne Rothbaum to partner in the sale. Rothbaum brings in the money the A-Rod group needed, which makes the push to buy legitimate. He was part of a group with Jeb Bush that pursued the sale of the Marlins in 2017.

Rodriguez Takes a Backseat

What comes with Rothbaum joining the team is that MLB will want to see him in charge instead of Rodriguez. The same way Magic Johnson takes a limited role with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A-Rod has never been the type to avoid the spotlight either as the villain during his playing day to the hero he tries to play now.

Without any sports right now, the potential Mets sale at least gives fans something to be hopeful for in 2020.

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