Power Couple J-Lo, A-Rod Take Steps To Purchase NY Mets

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez, once again, wants to be like Derek Jeter.

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez attend the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)

 

 

A-Rod and Jennifer Lopez, who are engaged, have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. The move was first reported by Variety and confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity because it was not announced.

A three-time AL MVP, Rodriguez retired in August 2016 with 698 home runs, a .295 average and 2,086 RBIs in 22 years. He was suspended for the 2014 season for violations of Major League Baseball's drug agreement and labor contract.

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez depart after The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

 

 

A-Rod, now 44 years old, earned about $448 million as a player. The 14-time All-Star started his career with Seattle, signed a record contract with Texas in December 2000, and then moved from shortstop to third base when he was traded from the Rangers to the New York Yankees ahead of the 2004 season.

Jeter, the Yankees captain and shortstop, retired after the 2014 season and was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in January. He became CEO of the Miami Marlins as part of the team's sale from Jeffrey Loria to a group headed by Bruce Sherman in October 2017.

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Jennifer Lopez attends 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

 

 

The Mets' ownership is headed by Fred Wilpon, brother-in-law Saul Katz and Jeff Wilpon's son Jeff, the team's chief operating officer. The team said Dec. 4 it was  negotiating an agreement with Steve Cohen. The hedge fund manager bought an 8% limited partnership stake in 2012 for $40 million. The deal under discussion would have seen him acquire an 80% controlling share in a transaction that values the team at $2.6 billion, and the Wilpons would have remained in place for five years.

The sides announced the deal's collapse on Feb. 6, and the Mets owners said they intended to find a new buyer. Allen & Co. represents the Mets owners.

 

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Former baseball player Alex Rodriguez looks on before Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

 

Given the drop in equities prices caused by the new coronavirus pandemic, the next few months figure to be a difficult time to raise money for a bid.

 

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