Report: Group led by Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush wins auction to buy Marlins

Derek Jeter is back in baseball.

The ownership group led by former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and former Florida governor Jeb Bush has won the auction to buy the Miami Marlins, Bloomberg’s Scott Soshnick reports. 

The group is finalizing a deal to pay $1.3 billion for the team, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports, though that process could take months to complete. Bush plans to be the owner with the final say over franchise decisions, Jackson reports.  

The Jeter-Bush group was the only group “with real interest” in buying the team as of Tuesday morning, Forbes’ Mike Ozanian reported earlier Tuesday. 

One other potential buyer was a group led by Tagg Romney, son of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. 

The Marlins sale became a point of controversy in February when it was reported that Charles Kushner, the father of White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, was part of a group seeking to buy the team. At the same time, current Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was being considered for an appointment as U.S. ambassador to France. Kushner then announced he would not be purchasing the team if Loria received the appointment. 

Loria, 76, has owned the Marlins since 2003. His tenure with the team has been tumultuous, highlighted by a World Series win but overshadowed by frequent teardowns and rebuilds.