DEREK FISHER
Jeter trying to reel in ownership stake in Marlins
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Could the Yankees’ beloved captain take his talents to South Beach? That is, assuming Derek Jeter would be a talented team owner.
The former shortstop, who long has publicly expressed interest in owning his own Major League Baseball team, has at least kicked the tires on the Miami Marlins’ current availability, an industry source confirmed. The FOX Business Network first reported on Wednesday that Jeter “has expressed interest in bidding for the team” and that former Morgan Stanley brokerage chief Gregory Fleming, who has been involved with Jeter’s successful Turn 2 Foundation, is representing Jeter in talks with Marlins brass.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, a Republican candidate for president last year, is heading a second group interested in the Marlins, and a third bid features financial backing from Goldman Sachs, FOX Business reported.
Marlins current owner Jeffrey Loria, reached by telephone, declined comment, as did an MLB spokesman. Jeter’s baseball agent Casey Close, who still has a strong relationship with Jeter, didn’t return an email for comment.
“Derek Jeter’s name probably comes up a lot,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday, before the team concluded its series with the Rays at Tropicana Field. “You don’t always know the validity of it, but I know he loves the game and I think he’d be a great owner. And if it is the case, I wish him the best of luck.”
There is some validity, thanks to Jeter’s comments of many years, and the Marlins always seemed like an ideal target for many reasons: Jeter lives in Tampa, an easy flight, and Miami has the A-list label that would be even more appealing now that he has married supermodel Hannah Davis. Since the Marlins play in the National League, Jeter could own a team not in direct competition with the Yankees.
In December 2014, just a few months after he retired, Jeter met with Loria at Marlins Park for what was spun as little more than a goodwill visit.
At this juncture, no group seems to possess a substantial lead in the competition to acquire the Marlins. What remains unclear about Jeter’s attempt is whether it’s backed by serious funding — Jeter could realistically contribute something in the $100-$150 million range, which would give him only a modest portion — and precisely what Jeter’s role would be. It’s hard to envision Jeter accepting the sort of figurehead role that basketball legend Magic Johnson took on with the Dodgers in 2012, a role that has virtually vanished now that Johnson is president of the NBA’s Lakers. Jeter has indicated he would want to be hands-on.
Since his retirement, Jeter has generally laid low, generating the most buzz with his marriage and Davis’ current pregnancy; the couple is expecting a girl. He founded the Players’ Tribune, a website that has provided a forum for athletes to present first-person sentiments and announcements, and he has a book-publishing label.
His appearances at Yankee Stadium have been sparse. In the past two years, he came for ceremonies to honor his old teammates Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Bernie Williams, and he attended a 20th-anniversary reunion of the 1996 championship team last year.
On May 14, the Yankees will retire Jeter’s number 2. Despite living in Tampa, moreover, Jeter has not come to George M. Steinbrenner Field, the team’s springtraining home, though he has interacted off-site with some minorleague prospects.
His intrigue in ownership, however, has not been extinguished altogether. — Joel Sherman and Dan Martin contributed to this story.