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Ted according to Major League Baseball Barry Svrluga, Ben Strauss and Leonsis, owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL Capitals and WNBA Mysteries, “has become a suitor for the MLB Nationals,” Chelsea Janes said. The Washington Post .
Leonsis “Being one of the potential buyers granted access to Nationals financial data is a key step in preparing to bid for an MLB franchise in the region,” according to Svrluga, Strauss and Janes.
In 2006, the Lerner family, led by real estate developer Ted Lerner, bought the Nationals for $450 million.
Svrluga reported in April that the Lerner family was exploring the idea of selling the Nationals and had hired investment bank Allen & Co. Find potential buyers. Ted Lerner’s son, Mike Lerner, told Svrluga at the time that there was “no set timetable or expectation of a particular outcome” when it came to selling the team.
However,
The Washington Post reported that “people familiar with the process” believe the sale could happen before the start of the new year in January, and that new ownership could be approved in time for the November owners meeting.
New York Post ‘s Jon Heyman reported in June that the Nationals were expected to be sold, possibly for at least $2 billion.
This summer, at least five potential bidders have met with KMT officials, including billionaires according to Washington Post , Michael B. Kim and Mortgage Loan mogul Stanley Middleman.
It’s unclear if Leonsis met with Nationals officials, or if he was able to buy the franchise on his own. At $2 billion, the Nationals are the 12th most expensive team in Major League Baseball, according to Forbes. Since the Lerner family purchased the team, the Nationals have made the playoffs five times, ending 2019 The World Series Championship is the highlight. Then, with a 26-34 record in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and a 65-97 record in 2021, it is currently fifth in East Holland with a 41-82 record.
Washington is expected to miss the playoffs for the third straight season.
Aside from the team’s struggles, the Nationals have failed to make a deal on superstar outfielder Juan Soto’s A contract extension was reached that ultimately traded him to the San Diego Padres this summer.
Soto is just the latest star player to leave the team. Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner have all left in recent years.
Regardless, fans will be hoping the team’s next owner can help the team get back into the postseason Competition battle.
