Jeter’s group to purchase Marlins

Derek Jeter wins again.

The Miami Marlins told Major League Baseball they intend to sign an agreement to sell the team to a group that includes the former New York Yankees captain, a person familiar with the negotiations said Friday.

Jeter would be a limited partner in the group led by venture capitalist Bruce Sherman, said the person, who confirmed the Marlins’ plans to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not commented.

The Marlins’ monthslong sale saga included many twists before owner Jeffrey Loria settled on the popular Jeter, who led the Yankees to five World Series championships before retiring after the 2014 season.

The person speaking on condition of anonymity said MLB was told Loria’s sale price will be about $1.2 billion to the group, which includes more than 10 entities.

Among them is Sherman, who will be the controlling owner, the person said. Sherman has spent much of his financial career in New York and has a home in Naples, Florida.

Jeter will be in charge of baseball operations, said the person, who added the Marlins told MLB they intended to sign the sale agreement Friday night.

“It will be an honor to play for a future Hall of Famer,” Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna said in Spanish after Friday night’s win over the Colorado Rockies. “Hopefully hewill bring harmony and winning tradition we have been accustomed of him.”

The Jeter- Sherman group beat out two other groups that pursued the team in the final weeks of negotiations. One group was led by South Florida businessman Jorge Mas, and another included former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who recently halted his pursuit of a deal.

Basebal l Commissioner Rob Manfred said a month ago that all three groups offered about the same amount of money, but there were legal and financing issues that slowed the process. Jeter had trouble raising money as he sought additional investors.

MLB owners meet next week in Chicago. A sale requires approval of at least 75 percent of the major league clubs, and the approval process could take three to six months.

Marlins president David Samson declined to comment.

Loria, 76, bought the Marlins for $158.5 million in 2002 from John Henry, who was part of a group that bought the Boston Red Sox.

Sherman is known for his philanthropic work and retired in 2009 as chief executive officer of Naples-based Private Capital Management.

Jeter, 43, retired after 20 seasons as the Yankees’ shortstop. A 14-time AllStar, Jeter lives in Tampa and has long talked of his desire to own a franchise. He has no front office experience.