In the Deal to Sell the Mets, a Snag Fits a Familiar Pattern

In December, when the Mets announced that the sale was being negotiated, they said Cohen had agreed to allow Fred Wilpon, the managing general partner, and his son, Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer, to keep their titles for the next five years, though the expectation, at least for Cohen, was that the roles would be largely ceremonial.

Despite the recent snag, the people cautioned that the deal could still go through. While the dispute is very real, they said, both sides could also be jockeying to gain leverage in a final deal.

When asked if the deal was in trouble, the Mets released a statement that cited “a mutual nondisclosure agreement” and declined to comment.

Jonathan Gasthalter, a spokesman for Cohen, also declined to comment.

Cohen, the owner of Point72 Asset Management, has been a minority owner of the Mets since 2012 and controls 8 percent of the team.

Mets fans largely reacted positively to news that the team could be sold. They have complained for years about the fact that the team plays in the country’s largest market yet operates with a payroll more befitting a mid-market franchise. There have been on field-successes under the Wilpons. Most notably, the team won the World Series in 1986 when the family owned a minority stake, and later reached two others. But in the 33 seasons since the family gained a 50 percent stake (they became controlling owners in 2002), the Mets have made the playoffs just six times.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/sports/baseball/mets-sale-wilpon-cohen.html?emc=rss&partner=rss