The Mets now will conduct a "traditional sale process" after the proposed deal for billionaire Steve Cohen to buy an 80% stake in the team fell through, according to a source. The source termed this as a "reset," adding the sale process will entail the franchise "going out broadly to the world, not just to a very select two, three or four people close to the Mets." The source added, "That process is kicking off. ... It will probably take place over the next several months."
The Cohen deal included a unique provision that would have allowed Mets Control Person & CEO Fred Wilpon and COO Jeff Wilpon to remain in their roles for five years after the completion of the sale. The source said of a future deal, “There will be no preconditions with respect to control.”
The source echoed the comments MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made at the conclusion of owners meetings last week, when he said the idea that the Cohen deal "fell apart because of something the Wilpons did is completely and utterly unfair." The source said, "It had nothing to do with, as has been reported, intra-family issues related to Jeff. Just 100% wrong. The family has complete confidence in Jeff and his management. Hopefully what the commissioner said set the record straight."
