Michael Jordan And Derek Jeter Among Celebrites Hoping To Buy Miami Marlins

NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan hoped to hit a home run once again. Since the Miami Marlins are up for purchase, Jordan and business partner Derek Jeter reportedly put in a bid for the team, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

Jordan, who is part of a group of 15 investors spearheaded by Jeter, bided on the Marlins Tuesday, reports said. The report stated that the investment group closed in on a deal to purchase the Marlins for an estimated $1.2 billion. If the purchase went through, Jordan would not make an enormous financial investment in the deal.

Jordan and Jeter had been partners for a while, the former New York Yankees’ shortstop had been with Jordan Brand throughout his career. Jordan bought controlling interest in the Charlotte Bobcats in 2010.

READ: Miami Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria Reportedly Suing A Fan, Plans To Seize His Property

Jordan and Jeter aren't the only ones with their eyes on the Marlins. There was a slew of celebrities that hoped to purchase the baseball team.

Recording artist Pitbull, who is from Miami, reportedly joined the bidding Tuesday. He is part of an investment group that consisted of Jeb Bush and Tagg Romney, Mitt Romney’s son. New York-based businessman Wayne Rothbaum is the head of the group.

Pitbull took to Twitter to talk about possible purchase.

Pitbull, who had performed at Marlins Park Monday during MLB’s Home Run Derby, is deeply rooted in Miami. He owns the record label "Mr. 305" and used his Miami connections to invest in ventures like the Miami Subs franchise and the Sports Leadership Arts and Management School.

In a town-hall meeting with fans Monday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the groups who bided for the team are "prepared to meet the Marlins’ price." Co-founder of MasTec, Jorge Mas, agreed with owner Jeffrey Loria Monday to buy the team for $1.17 billion, reports said. But they had not reached a deal according to Marlins president David Samson, who told the Miami Herald, "there’s no agreement reached with anyone."

"All three of those groups are in the process of doing the legal work, the financing work, the diligence work that I referenced," Manfred said. "And when that's complete the Marlins, Mr. Loria, will have to decide which one of the three groups it's going to be."

Manfried talked about how sales of a team are usually private. He alluded that it was unfortunate that the team’s business had played out in public.

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"We always prefer a process whereby the buyer and the seller agree on price," Manfred said. "There’s a period of time when they work through their financing and all the legal documentation, the diligence that needs to be done. And then we have a public announcement. Unfortunately, in this situation the bidders became known."

The Marlins have been in the public eye for years. The Miami New Times reported Monday that Loria and the Marlins had sued another fan. The team had a longstanding legal battle over season-ticket contracts made during 2012.