Jeb Bush-Derek Jeter group reportedly has agreement to buy Marlins

ByABC News
April 25, 2017, 5:56 PM

— -- Former New York Yankees shortstop? Derek Jeter?is part of a group led by ex-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush that has?reached an agreement to purchase the Miami Marlins?after submitting a bid of $1.3 billion, according to multiple media reports.

According to the Miami Herald and Bloomberg, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has reached an agreement to sell the Marlins to the Bush-Jeter group after their bid won the auction ahead of other potential buyers for exclusive negotiating rights.

There still is a long way to go in the process. Both news outlets, citing sources, said there is no contract as of yet and that the sale would still need approval from Major League Baseball.

"I have not commented on the process and plan to keep it that way, thank you," Marlins president David Samson told the Miami Herald.

Jeter, who retired in 2014 after 20 seasons with the Yankees, has long talked about owning a franchise.

Bush served as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. His brother, former President George W. Bush, was part-owner of the Texas Rangers from 1989 to 1998.

Other groups reportedly involved in the bidding process to negotiate for the purchase of the Marlins included New York businessman Wayne Rothbaum and another by Massachusetts businessman Tagg Romney that included former Braves pitcher Tom Glavine.

Loria, 76, bought the Marlins in 2002 for $158.5 million.