Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush have reportedly combined their talents in South Beach and won the right to purchase the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball franchise from owner Jeffrey Loria.
Jeter, the former All-Star Yankees shortstop, and Bush, the former Florida governor and failed contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, were each vying separately to buy the Marlins, but decided to join their efforts to strengthen their chances, according to USA Today.
The tentative agreement is for $1.3 billion, and Bush will lead the five-person group that will make the purchase, according to the Miami Herald. The deal isn’t yet finalized, since 23 of 30 current MLB owners must approve it, and a final contract has not been agreed to, but both sides are optimistic.
Jeter, who lives in Tampa, said he will have an active role within the franchise. The Marlins are in the bottom quarter for attendance among MLB teams despite opening a new stadium in 2012, and they also get less revenue from television contracts. The team won the World Series in 2003 but haven’t made the playoffs in 13 years, the Miami Herald reported.
Jeter’s universal respect as a ballplayer is expected to help improve the Marlins’ reputation as a team. Current owner Loria reportedly holds Jeter in high regard, and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed support for Jeter becoming an owner as well.
“I think the idea of a former player being an owner is an appealing one for baseball, particularly a player like Derek,” Manfred said at a meeting with The Associated Press Sports Editors, the Herald reported.
One Twitter user thought the ownership group was a “weird combo,” but others liked the idea of Jeter owning a team.
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