NEW YORK
Donald Trump has asked Mets owner Fred Wilpon for a meeting to discuss buying at least part of the team, according to a new report Tuesday.
Trump is interested only in a majority stake of the franchise troubled by the Wilpons' involvement with Bernard Madoff.
"The Wilpons are friends of mine, and I really hope it works out great for them," Trump told the New York Times of the Wilpons' desire to sell a minority share of the team. "But if anything doesn't work out for them, I'd be interested in the team."
Trump said Tuesday he called Fred Wilpon, the Mets principal owner, about two weeks ago to arrange a face-to-face meeting. The meeting has not yet been held, according to the report.
The Mets had no immediate comment on Trump's interest.
The Mets owners announced Jan. 28 they were seeking to sell up to 25 percent of the team due to uncertainty over a lawsuit filed by the trustee for victims of Madoff's epic Ponzi scheme.
The claim is that the Wilpons received $300 million in "fictitious profits" stemming from the $65 billion scheme. Madoff trustee Irving Picard also seeks to recover the initial $700 million the Mets owners invested with Madoff, which could force the team to be sold.
Forbes has valued the team at more than $850 million. Citi Field and SportsNet New York (SNY) are not expected to be part of any sale.
Mets players began reporting to spring training on Tuesday, where newly installed general manager Sandy Alderson said the team's financial situation would not affect operations.
Trump previously owned the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.
Donald Trump has asked Mets owner Fred Wilpon for a meeting to discuss buying at least part of the team, according to a new report Tuesday.
Trump is interested only in a majority stake of the franchise troubled by the Wilpons' involvement with Bernard Madoff.
"The Wilpons are friends of mine, and I really hope it works out great for them," Trump told the New York Times of the Wilpons' desire to sell a minority share of the team. "But if anything doesn't work out for them, I'd be interested in the team."
Trump said Tuesday he called Fred Wilpon, the Mets principal owner, about two weeks ago to arrange a face-to-face meeting. The meeting has not yet been held, according to the report.
The Mets had no immediate comment on Trump's interest.
The Mets owners announced Jan. 28 they were seeking to sell up to 25 percent of the team due to uncertainty over a lawsuit filed by the trustee for victims of Madoff's epic Ponzi scheme.
The claim is that the Wilpons received $300 million in "fictitious profits" stemming from the $65 billion scheme. Madoff trustee Irving Picard also seeks to recover the initial $700 million the Mets owners invested with Madoff, which could force the team to be sold.
Forbes has valued the team at more than $850 million. Citi Field and SportsNet New York (SNY) are not expected to be part of any sale.
Mets players began reporting to spring training on Tuesday, where newly installed general manager Sandy Alderson said the team's financial situation would not affect operations.
Trump previously owned the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.
