Former Mets manager Bobby Valentine is now an ESPN analyst and the director of public health and safety for Stamford, Connecticut. But now the rumor mill is churning after ESPN reported he met with financial backers to possibly buy part of the Mets. Valentine said last night, "I've talked to a number of people interested in purchasing part of the Amazin's, but I'm not formally with any group that is actively pursuing this venture," but can't Mets fans dream?
Newsday says that the popular former Met declined to comment about the reports today as well. The Mets' current owners, the Wilpons, are in a precarious position because of their investments with Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff; they face a $1 billion lawsuit from Madoff victims and had asked Major League Baseball for a $25 million loan last year.
Other names mentioned as being interested in the Mets include Donald Trump, Mark Cuban, Georgi Vodka distributor Martin Silver, and a group headed by Martin Luther King III. Michael Repole, Vitaminwater founder, was in the hunt but announced he's dropping out today.
