Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Zakarie Faibis
The Mets call Citi Field in Flushing home.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A life-long Mets fan from Deer Park, L.I., is the new owner of the Amazins, Major League Baseball announced Friday.
The MLB clubs have approved the new ownership group of the Mets led by incoming control person, hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen. The 26-4 vote in favor of the $2.4 billion sale was conducted Friday during a conference call of all MLB franchises.
Cohen, 64, purchased the Flushing-based franchise from Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz, and Fred’s son, Jeff Wilpon, who collectively have owned at least 1 percent of the Mets since 1980.
Photo Courtesy of Point72
Steve Cohen
“It has been a privilege and honor for our families to have been a part of this great franchise for the past 40 years,” Fred Wilpon said. “We would like to express our deep appreciation for our loyal and passionate fans who have consistently supported this organization through the years. We’d also like to thank the many great players, managers, coaches, and dedicated employees with whom we’ve been privileged to work with through the years, for their commitment to the interests of our organization, our industry, and our community.
“I know that Steve Cohen and his family share the same passion we’ve had for the Mets and for this City. Steve will continue, and will build upon, this organization’s longstanding commitment to the support of our community, and of those in need, which is especially important at this time. He shares the view that Saul, Jeff and I have long held, that ownership of the Mets is a public trust. I know that he will take that as seriously as we always have.
“Steve and his family are lifelong Mets fans and we wish them, and our fans, nothing but success on and off the field in the future.”
