Joe Tsai diversified his business portfolio further when he became the Brooklyn Nets’ majority owner prior to the 2019-20 season. But the Alibaba co-founder and executive may have plans to invest in another major American professional sports franchise.
Tsai has now been linked to the New York Mets.
The power couple of former New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and singer/actress Jennifer Lopez are reportedly working toward buying the Mets from the Wilpons. In doing so, they’ve attempted to align themselves with other big names.
Among those who’ve been linked to Rodriguez and Lopez’s group is former Brooklyn Nets big man Mason Plumlee. On his personal website, Plumlee wrote that Tsai is now “in the mix as a partner”:
The reality is this group has plenty of money and experience. There’s no bigger, more dynamic, power couple than A-Rod and J-Lo. Vinnie and Mike Repole are first-generation billionaires with passion and vision. Alex knows a little something about baseball. Jennifer is a mogul in the entertainment industry. Vinnie knows the ownership gig as owner of the Florida Panthers. And spoiler alert: we’ve now got another billionaire sports owner in the mix as a partner — Joe Tsai — who brings our collective net worth to the top of the bid list.
However, there may be an issue with Tsai’s involvement.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post is reporting Tsai is not in on the bid, due to the Nets’ partnership with YES Network — which is owned by the Yankees.
According to a source, the #Nets have a relationship with YES Network (#Yankees) and that relationship is their priority. Part of the reason @joetsai1999 isn’t part of the A-Rod group trying to buy the #Mets. #nym
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) July 18, 2020
Given Brooklyn’s games are broadcast on YES, there might be some complications with the Nets governor owning a stake in the other MLB in town.