Alex Rodríguez and Jennifer López are making movements. Rodríguez has expanded his real estate portfolio and invested in business (both inside and outside) Shark tank) Meanwhile, Lopez starred in the Super Bowl halftime show and won multiple awards for his performance in the hit movie. Hustlers. Now, the powerful couple is coming together for a potentially massive deal.
A-Rod and J-Lo have hired JPMorgan Chase to raise capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. The Wilpon family, the current owner of the team, was in talks to sell up to 80 percent to Steve Cohen, a hedge fund billionaire. The deal valued the club at $ 2.6 billion, but negotiations fell apart after Cohen tried to alter the terms.
So now the way is open for A-Rod and J-Lo to become part of a group of owners. Rodríguez may follow in the footsteps of his former Yankees teammate Derek Jeter, who owns about four percent of the Miami Marlins. Jeter contributed about $ 25 million to buy the equipment as part of venture capitalist Bruce Sharman's group. Jeter directs baseball and the team's business operations.
If A-Rod and J-Lo want to go a similar route, they will also need a partner to help them tackle the money. The couple's combined net worth is around $ 750 million.
ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
However, some baseball connoisseurs don't see a way for Rodríguez to own a team. MLB Network's Jon Heyman even reported that an executive says Rodriguez's chances of getting enough money to buy a team are "flat."
There is some skepticism about A-Rod getting the funds to buy the Mets. Referring to the $ 2.6B price tag, a baseball executive says, "The chances of anyone giving you that kind of money are almost nil."
– Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 21, 2020
While Jeter showed up with the $ to buy the Marlins, and A-Rod has a wealthy partner (J-Lo), a baseball executive / A-Rod skeptic pointed out the differences: 1. The Marlins are not the Mets (at 1.2 B cost about half) 2. Time to raise $ is not good, and 3. Jeter's rep is pristine.
– Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 21, 2020
According to reports, the couple is only looking to invest a small amount of money, so they are looking for partners who can contribute between $ 25 and $ 50 million. Could it be more difficult than expected?
One thing that weighs in for A-Rod and J-Lo: Despite the crumbling $ 2.6 billion deal, the team may be worth even less now. Darren Rovell estimates the Mets are closer to $ 1.6 billion.
Whoever ends up buying the Mets, the Wilpons will make big profits. They assumed control of the franchise in 2002; the team was worth only $ 391 million at the time.
Rodríguez and López have stronger ties to the Yankees
Growing up, Rodriguez had always supported the Mets. When they won the World Series in 1986, he was among the fans celebrating in Manhattan. He even almost signed with the team in 2000 before signing a $ 252 million, ten-year contract with the Rangers.
Now, he has a chance to own his favorite team as a kid. How many of us can say the same?