Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez appear to be back in the game as prospective buyers of the Mets.
The New York Post, citing anonymous sources, reported Friday night that the couple is trying again to take the franchise off Fred and Jeff Wilpon's hands after tapping out three weeks ago, and that there are signs they'd be getting a much better deal this time.
Among the reasons for that determination, according to the Post's sources:
- The Wilpons are now willing to sell a piece of SportsNet New York, the profitable TV network that is helping to keep the ballclub afloat. That's a major change in their position, although they still want to hold onto a share of the moneymaker.
- J-Rod is willing to put up "hundreds of millions" of dollars of their own money, and the two now have access to high-wealth bankers at JPMorgan Chase who, in turn, can set them up with investors who'd provide the rest of the cash.
- One source estimated a new sale price at below $2 billion; Forbes magazine estimated earlier this year that the franchise is worth $2.4 billion.
Rodriguez and Lopez have also been exploring ways to make Citi Field more profitable and develop the areas surrounding the stadium, the Post reported. That part of their plan has supposedly gotten the attention of Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his son Jonathan, the Pats' team president.
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The way the Post put it, the Krafts aren't interested in buying the team but in the development plan. The Post lobbied earlier this year for Kraft, a New York native, to buy the club.
