Martin Luther King III tones down his participation in Mets ownership bid
Martin Luther King III has been linked to a possible ownership bid with the New York Mets. However, his participation level had been hyped up by the media. Now the popular figure in the community has come out to say that his role in the share bidding is
entirely premature. His affiliation to the group that has been leading one of the offers against the ownership share of the Mets is not of someone who’s leading the charge.
The group that Martin Luther King III is a member of entails former Mets’ first baseman, Ed Kranepool and Donn Clendenon Jr., son of a former Mets player. King Luther III has further clarified that his role in the bidding has been minimal. He’s not engaged
in a conversation with the club’s current owners, Fred Wilpon and his son Jeff Wilpon, the Chief Operating Officer of the club.
While discussing the matter with the media, King said that the whole matter was blown out of proportion, exaggerating his involvement in the bid. He went on to add that he was not leading the group and no direct conversations were held between him and the
Wilpons.
Television Executive, Larry Meli, is another member of the group that King is currently working with. He apparently started the hype in the media when he gave out details to a famous newspaper in an interview, concerning the King’s involvement. However,
in a statement King released yesterday, he neither accepted nor denied interest in the New York Mets.
"There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about my participation in the acquisition of the New York Mets," King said. "The public release of those discussions was premature. I believe in the merit and value of America creating an example, and,
if I personally, or as part of a collective, can advance the vision of a more diverse ownership group in professional sports, domestically or internationally, then, like my father, I am prepared to act in that spirit."
King is the Head of the Atlanta King Centre and his role may not seem to translate into one which would look to invest in businesses. The group has been interested in the Mets nevertheless, and the main focus has been on the share of ownership they want
to derive from the deal.
The club has put 20% - 25% of the club’s ownership on sale. The group is treading forth in an awkward manner though, as they’re looking to clinch 50% of the club’s control.
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