Mas meets with MLB commissioner, seeks investors

MIAMI — Miami businessman Jorge Mas is continuing efforts to buy the Miami Marlins and met with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred last week in hopes of accomplishing that, according to a league source.

A day later, Manfred met with one of the other bidders — Wayne Rothbaum and Jeb Bush, as we reported on Tuesday.

Mas, who had been studying the Marlins' financial records, last week briefly reevaluated whether he wanted to continue pursuing the team because 1) he was frustrated that the Marlins would not grant him an exclusive negotiating window and 2) because he believes the team is not worth the $1.2 billion that owner Jeffrey Loria is seeking.

But Mas, at least for now, is pursuing a purchase. Though he hasn't made a formal offer, he has been trying to put together a group of investors in recent days. There was never any expectation that Mas would his entire bid.

Manfred has said three groups remain in contention for the Marlins — groups led by Derek Jeter, Rothbaum and Mas.

A New York based source has said the Marlins do not expect Mas to end up with the team, but the Mas camp remains hopeful and believe that Manfred — while not playing favorites — would embrace Mas ownership because MLB likes ownership groups with a local presence. Mas believes Manfred finance will have influence in who ends up with the team, though it's ultimately Loria's decision.

The Mas group also believes that Loria would be open to a Mas bid, though Rothbaum and Jeter are further along in the process because they started sooner. And Jeter, still short of the money needed to meet the asking price, has been considered Loria's personal preference, according to a member of the Rothbaum group.

Nevertheless, the Rothbaum group also has expressed confidence to associates that it can close a deal.

Neither of the other primary bidders are Miamibased. Rothbaum has homes in New York and Delray Beach, while Jeter is based in Tampa. Bush, who has a modest financial stake in Rothbaum's bid, has a Miami residence.

The Marlins and Manfred have said the team will be sold but haven't offered a timetable.

Meanwhile, The New York Post, quoting sources, reported that “some of the bidders are hoping they might be able to reduce Marlins losses by forming Miami's first regional sports network and teaming with the Dolphins.”

But a Dolphins official with direct knowledge said the Dolphins have never been approached with that idea by any of the people trying to buy the Marlins.

And the Marlins' regional cable deal with Fox Sports, which pays them less than any other big-league team, runs through 2020.