Ted Leonsis is already the majority owner of both the Washington Capitals and Wizards, and the former AOL executive is apparently interested in adding the Nationals to his portfolio.
Jon Heyman, writing for the New York Post, says that Leonsis is "among 28 interested parties in bidding on the Nationals." Heyman adds that current Nationals owner Ted Lerner, 96, is one of the partners of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the company through which Leonsis purchased both the Capitals and Wizards. Familiarity certainly can't hurt in negotiations like this.
With that said, Heyman hears that Leonsis' "initial offer is thought to put him behind in bidding." The 65-year-old old is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion by Forbes.
Steve Cohen purchased the New York Mets for $2.4 billion late in 2020. The Nationals, of course, do not play in New York. With that said, D.C. is one of the biggest markets in America, and Forbes estimated the Nationals to be worth $2 billion earlier this year. It should be noted that they will gain additional income -- as all MLB's teams will -- with the addition of uniform sponsors in 2023.
The first order of business for whoever buys the Nationals will be trying to work out a long-term contract with star right fielder Juan Soto. Last year's NL MVP runner-up declined a 13-year/$350 million contract offer from the Nationals last offseason. Still just 23, Soto can become a free agent after the 2024 season.
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