Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is among the least-liked figures in baseball. He is quick to dismiss managers; he got local taxpayers to help build him a new ballpark in 2013; and he seldom spends money on his team.
But give Loria this much: He is ambitious. Need evidence? Consider this report from Forbes stating Loria is willing to sell the Marlins ... for, oh, $1.7 billion:
The latest buzz among sports bankers is that the Miami Marlins can be had for $1.7 billion.
[...]
[Bankers] say Loria has not hired an investment firm to work the deal and is likely just floating a $1.7 billion price tag.
As noted in the piece, Forbes has valued the Marlins at $675 million -- or a bit over a third of Loria's rumored asking price. For more perspective on the absurdity of that ask, consider the Los Angeles Dodgers were sold in 2012 for $2 billion. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres have been the only other teams sold for more than $800 million -- and neither broke the billion mark.
So, yeah. The Marlins are not being sold for $1.7 billion. But again, give Loria credit for aiming high -- and for (presumably) answering his phone in a friendlier manner.
