Report: Mets seek $200 million for piece of team

[March 31, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Times is reporting the Mets are seeking $200 million for a minority portion of the team.

The Times cited a person briefed on the sale process in a story posted on its website late Wednesday night.

The Times reported that the team's owners are also telling potential bidders that they might sell a portion of their cable network SNY, but that negotiation would take place separately from a deal for the team. The contenders have been told that any deal to sell a minority piece will not include a path to acquire the rest of the team. The $200 million could count as much as a 40 percent share of the club.

The Times reported that the contenders include: Jason Reese, the chairman of Imperial Capital, a Los Angeles-based investment bank.

David Heller, a Goldman Sachs executive, along with Marc Spilker, the president of Apollo Global Management, a private equity fund.

Steven Starker, a co-founder of BTIG, a global trading firm, with Kenny Dichter, a co-founder of Marquis Jets; Doug Ellin, creator of HBO's "Entourage"; and Randy Frankel, a minority owner of the Tampa Bay Rays.

James McCann, the founder of 1-800-Flowers.com, with Anthony Scaramucci, who runs the hedge firm SkyBridge Capital.

Marc A. Utay, managing partner of Clarion Capital, a private equity firm, and Leo Hindery, the first chief executive of the YES Network and a veteran media investor.

[Associated Press]

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