Jeffrey Loria, Marlins Reportedly Discussing Sale of Team with Multiple Suitors

The Miami Marlins are reportedly moving toward getting new ownership at some point in 2017.

Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria "is fully expected to sell the team sometime this year" and they are "actively engaged in discussions with four groups and have had additional conversations with two others."

There is no definitive timetable for when the Marlins could be sold, though Jackson noted the team "would like to reach an agreement with someone in the coming months."

Mike Ozanian of Forbes reported on February 9 the Marlins had a handshake deal to sell the franchise for $1.6 billion, but there was a hangup in trying to make the deal official because a majority of the potential buyer's net worth was tied up in real estate.

Per Steven Wine of the Associated Press (via the Chicago Tribune), Joshua Kushner was the buyer who had a preliminary agreement with the Marlins. Kushner later ceased negotiations with the Marlins about buying the team, per Mark Moore of the New York Post.

Loria purchased the Marlins in 2002 after he sold the Montreal Expos to the commissioner's office. The franchise won a World Series in 2003, his first full year as owner, but has missed the playoffs every season since.