Loria in talks to sell Marlins to Trump adviser’s family, report says

The Kushner family, relatives by marriage to President Donald Trump, is in talks to buy the Miami Marlins from art dealer Jeffrey Loria, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The people asked for anonymity because the talks are private.

Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello didn’t immediately return a phone call or email seeking comment. Wayne Katz, the Proskauer Rose attorney representing the team, declined to comment. A spokesperson for Kushner Cos. declined to comment.

Kushner Cos., which was founded by Charles Kushner in 1985, focuses on Manhattan real estate. His son, Jared, is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka and is a senior adviser to the president.

Charles Kushner has a criminal record — in 2005 he was convicted of witness tampering, illegal campaign contributions and tax evasion — which would probably keep him from being approved as a principal owner of a Major League Baseball team. His son’s position in the White House would likely keep him from buying the team, as well.

Charles’ other son, Joshua, runs a private equity firm.

The sources did not say how the deal would be structured or which member of the Kushner family if any would be named as the owner of the team, if an agreement is reached.

Forbes, citing two anonymous sources, earlier Thursday said Loria has a “handshake agreement” to sell the club for US$1.6 billion. The magazine didn’t identify the buyer, saying only that it was with a real estate developer based in New York City.

Loria bought the team in 2002 for about $160 million.