Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Derek Jeter are now "working to make a joint bid for the Marlins," according to sources cited by Gasparino & Schwartz of FOX BUSINESS. Sources said that the duo decided to "join forces over the past week, in order to pool resources," for a bid that is likely to top $1B. Bush and Jeter could "face a competing bid from an investor group led by Tagg Romney," the son of former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Tagg Romney is Managing Partner at Boston-based investment firm Solamere Capital. It is "unclear if Mitt Romney will play a direct role in any potential bid from this group." Sources said that Morgan Stanley may also "directly play a role in the deal." Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria has "expressed interest in selling the team since late last year." Sources said that while the "timetable is fluid, any deal could be completed as soon as May of this year" (FOXBUSINESS.com, 4/19). BLOOMBERG NEWS' Scott Soshnick cited a source as saying that bids for the Marlins were "due last week" and came in between $1.2-1.3B (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/19). In Miami, Douglas Hanks writes the "buyer derby may come down to who is able to offer" Loria the "richest offer." MLB owners "must approve team sales, giving the league’s front office influence in who Loria picks to take over the Marlins." Sources said that Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross is "interested in buying the Marlins if Loria would drop his price" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/20).
