At least three possible bidders have "emerged to purchase" the Marlins, according to sources cited by Gasparino & Schwartz of FOX BUSINESS. Sources said that former MLBer Derek Jeter has "expressed interest in bidding for the team," adding that Jeter is "being represented in talks" with Marlins President David Samson by former Morgan Stanley Wealth Management President Gregory Fleming. The sources said that another "major contender" is a group headed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is "teaming up with Citigroup to finance a possible official bid." Sources said that at least "one other group is in the running." This group "involves a number of businessmen who have gained financial backing from Goldman Sachs." Gasparino & Schwartz noted it is "unclear what role Morgan Stanley might play in a bidding war, or whether it might back the Jeter-Fleming bid." Sources said that while the timetable on a possible sale is "fluid, any deal could be completed by May of this year." One problem for Jeter and Bush is that despite their "substantial net worth, they would need partners to finance the transaction, and financing from outside sources that the league might find problematic." Sources said that the Marlins may ultimately decide "not to sell the team if they can’t get an offer" close to $1.6B. Meanwhile, sources said that bankers representing a group that included former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have also "made inquiries about a bid." But a spokesperson for the former GOP presidential candidate said, "Mitt Romney is not involved in an effort to buy the Marlins" (FOXBUSINESS.com, 4/5).
OH CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN! In N.Y., Christian Red cites a source as saying that Jeter, despite earning an estimated $265M in salary during his 20-year career and millions more in endorsements, "doesn’t have the money alone to purchase a team" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/6). Yankees LF Brett Gardner said of Jeter, "Anything he gets involved in, I expect him to find great success. ... This would be great for him and for the game to have him involved at that level." Yankees manager Joe Girardi admitted that it would be "'strange' to see" Jeter with "another organization aside from the Yankees." In N.Y., Peter Botte writes Jeter "must pounce on any opportunity that comes his way to kick his way into such an exclusive club." Yankees P CC Sabathia believes Jeter would be "probably more behind the scenes" than late Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/6).
