The Marlins last night "denied a Forbes report that they’ve reached an agreement" to be sold to MasTec co-Founder & Chair Jorge Mas, according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. Marlins President David Samson said, "There’s no agreement reached with anyone." The Mas group also "indicated they have no agreement to buy the team." Jackson reports Mas "remains very interested and has spoken" to Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria but is "still doing due diligence." MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred yesterday said all three groups bidding for the Marlins are “prepared to meet” the asking price -- thought to be $1.3B -- and he expects a resolution “in the relatively near future.” Manfred said of a sale, “I don’t think it’s days (away) but I think in the relatively near future we’ll have a conclusion to this process." Jackson notes Loria "continues to consider interest from groups led by Mas; Wayne Rothbaum and Tagg Romney; and Derek Jeter." Meanwhile, Manfred denied a N.Y. Post report that he is "getting impatient with the process" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/11). In the original report, FORBES' Mike Ozanian cited sources as saying that Mas and Loria had "agreed for Mas to buy" the team for $1.17B. Ozanian noted Mas could "still back out of the deal, though he would lose a sizable deposit." Mas is "likely Loria's last chance" to get over $1B for the team (FORBES.com, 7/10).
CLOSING IN? In N.Y., Kosman, Davidoff & Atkinson report Jeter's group has bid $1.2B for the Marlins and appeared last night to be "closing in on a deal." Sources said that Jeter’s group, which includes former Private Capital Management co-Founder Bruce Sherman, is "now seen as the leading contender" to buy the club. Sources added that Michael Jordan is "among a group of about 15 investors" in Jeter's group, though he is "said to be kicking in very little cash" (N.Y. POST, 7/11). Meanwhile, in Miami, Douglas Hanks reports rapper Pitbull is joining the Rothbaum/Romney group that also includes Jeb Bush and Marcus Lemonis. Pitbull, whose given name is Armando Christian Perez, previously "served as an in-house DJ for the Marlins" and is the "celebrity probably most associated with promoting his Miami connections" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 7/11).
PUBLIC COURTSHIP: Manfred said that it is "unfortunate that the impending sale of the Marlins has played out so publicly." Manfred: "We always prefer a process whereby the buyer and the seller agree on price. There’s a period of time when they work through their financing and all the legal documentation, the diligence that needs to be done. And then we have a public announcement. Unfortunately, in this situation the bidders became known." In Ft. Lauderdale, Tim Healey notes MLB is "loath to see the spotlight stolen from its signature events," so it is "unlikely anything official will come down before All-Star festivities clear out mid-week" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/11).
