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Two Area Groups, Smulyan Lead in Bid to Own Nats
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Smulyan, as a former owner, is backed by some in the baseball hierarchy, reportedly including Reinsdorf. After his name emerged as a contender in recent weeks, Smulyan made a high-profile visit to the District and announced the addition of several prominent Washington area individuals to his group, including Eric Holder, former U.S. attorney for the District, and former Redskins Art Monk, Charles Mann and Calvin Hill.
A second tier of possible owners is led by Franklin Haney, a businessman with offices and residences in the District and in Tennessee, the sources familiar with the sale process said. After Haney, a Northern Virginia-based group of businessmen led by Albert Lord, chairman of Sallie Mae, and William Collins has some support inside baseball. Stan Kasten, former president of the Atlanta Braves, is considered a long shot, according to the sources.
Two other bidders, one led by Washington entrepreneur Jonathan Ledecky that includes billionaire George Soros, and another group composed of Chicago businessman Yusef Jackson -- son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson -- and grocery store billionaire Ronald Burkle, have not garnered as much support as the others, the sources said.
Baseball has set a $450 million price on the team. Most groups indicated they were willing to meet that price tag when nonbinding bids were submitted to baseball last month.
Baseball President Bob DuPuy last month said a sale would not be completed until the city signs a lease agreement with the league that sets the rent and other conditions under which the Nationals will use the new riverfront stadium in Southeast. The stadium is scheduled to open in March 2008. Reinsdorf, who has been negotiating the lease with D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commissioner Mark Tuohey, said Tuesday that the lease issue was delaying a decision on the ownership.
"They want certain things in the lease, certain things which are not worth mentioning publicly," he said. "That's what's holding it up. But it will happen, sooner or later."
Staff writer Dave Sheinin contributed to this report from Anaheim, Calif.
