Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has dropped his bid to buy the Miami Marlins with Derek Jeter, according to multiple news reports Tuesday.
The Miami Herald reported that issues surrounding Bush’s purchase centered on his desire to act as the “control person” of the deal, despite investing less of his money than other partners in the group. Jeter, who is still in the running for the team, hoped to act as the “control person” as well, which would put him in charge of all franchise decisions if the sale goes through.
Bush had planned to invest less than $20 million toward the Marlins’ $1.3 billion price tag.
“Gov. Bush has great respect for Derek Jeter, and Jeter remains a great friend,” a source told the Associated Press. “And he’s looking forward to a great rest of the season for the Marlins.”
Jeter is now competing for the sale with a team led by Tagg Romney, son of Mitt Romney, who like Bush also ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.
According to the Herald, Bush and Romney’s groups each met the initial $1.3 billion asking price from Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, but Romney’s team recently placed a bid about $25 million higher.
