Odds on Next NY Mets Ownership Group Sees A-Rod/J-Lo a Close Second to Josh Harris/David Blitzer
- Former Yankee Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are part of a group listed at +135 to buy the New York Mets
- Josh Harris and David Blitzer are the +125 chalk to be next owners of the Mets.
- Should you be going with one of these groups or playing the field at +200?
As a New York Yankee, it could be argued that Alex Rodriguez played a role in owning the New York Mets.
The 14-time All-Star won the Babe Ruth Award as 2009 MLB postseason MVP, hitting .365 as he led the Bronx Bombers to their most recent World Series win.
Meanwhile, the Mets, New York’s other MLB ballclub, hasn’t won the World Series since 1986.
Fast forward a decade. The Yankees are second-favorites to win the 2020 World Series at +375. Even in a 60-game season, NYY’s win total is six games higher than the Mets.
Meanwhile, a group including Rodriguez and fiancée singer/actor Jennifer Lopez are the second-favorites to be the next owners of the Mets at odds of +135.
American private equity investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer are the +125 chalk to acquire ownership of the Mets.
Odds to Win the New York Mets Ownership Bid
| Group | Odds |
|---|---|
| Josh Harris and David Blitzer | +125 |
| Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Mike Repole and/or other investors | +135 |
| Other individual(s) or investment groups | +200 |
Odds taken June 24th.
The sale of the team must close before 2021 for this wager to have action. Any wagers placed on the same day that news becomes public knowledge will be deemed void.
From A-Rod to Shea-Rod?
A-Rod and J-Lo may be the celebrity faces of their bid. However, the financial clout is clearly Queens-born billionaire Mike Repole, the co-founder of Vitamin Water.
There are conflicting reports over who will be the managing general partner of their bid. MLB only allows one general partner per team. The remainder of the ownership group would be listed as limited partners.
Mike on the rumors of Mike Repole joining A-Rod and J-Lo in a bid to buy the Mets. pic.twitter.com/C5LIwxXb2A
— MIKE'S ON with Francesa (@mikeson) June 22, 2020
Vinny Viola, owner of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, is also reportedly part of their bid for the Mets.
Perhaps Repole and A-Rod will end up coming to an agreement similar to what A-Rod’s former teammate Derek Jeter arranged with the Miami Marlins. Bruce Sherman is general partner of the Marlins. Jeter, who owns 4% of the team, serves as chief executive officer and runs the day-to-day baseball operations.
From Philly to New York
As for the other contending group, Harris is co-founder of Apollo Global Management. Blitzer is a senior executive at Blackstone Group.
Harris is also principal owner of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. As well, he has an 18% share in English Premier League club Crystal Palace. Blitzer is a minority owner in all three of these teams.
I’m not Captain Philly or anything but the idea of Josh Harris buying the Mets is completely ridiculous. The Mets are an actual rival, not some throwaway like the Devils. What a doofus.
— Spike Eskin (@SpikeEskin) June 24, 2020
Their experience owning pro teams is a definite plus in their corner. The Mets faithful might not find the thought of a Philly connection too pleasing, though. When it comes to sports, New York and Philly fans don’t play nice together.
Other Groups To Consider
English billionaires David and Simon Reuben are said to be kicking the tires on property in the area around Citi Field, home to the Mets. Might the Mets be included among those properties?
A sale to Steve Cohen fell through earlier this year. Mets owners the Wilpon family sought to maintain their position as the Mets controlling party over a five-year ownership transition period.
So it appears the bidding for the #Mets will include:
1. Josh Harris & David Blitzer
2. J-Rod & Mike Repole/Vincent Viola
3. David and Simon Reuben
4. Outside chance of a reemergence of Steve Cohen?— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) June 23, 2020
There’s always a chance that Cohen re-enters the picture.
Really, though, who doesn’t want it to be A-Rod’s group? The thought of ex-friends A-Rod and Jeter running teams in the same division is the stuff of tabloid legend.
Pick: Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Mike Repole and/or other investors (+135)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
