Mets Minority Owner Katz Denies Report That He's Looking To Sell
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Saul Katz isn't going anywhere. Just ask basically anyone in the know about the Mets.
In response to a report in the New York Times that says Katz, a part owner and president of the franchise, was tired of losing and looking to sell his stake in the club, the team issued a statement quoting Katz denying the newspaper's claim in the strongest of terms.
"There is no truth to the reports of any intention of selling," Katz said Monday. "I have no intention of selling my share of the Mets, nor have I ever had any intention of selling my share."
The Daily News reported even stronger denials, with one person with knowledge of the situation saying, "bull----. Complete and utter bull----. It's not like him to be saying something like that."
By most accounts, Katz, who is a brother-in-law to Mets majority owner Fred Wilpon, has an unbreakable bond with the Wilpon family.
"They've been partners and brothers-in-law for their entire working lives, a half-century. And they intend to stay partners for the rest of their lives. Saul has no intention of selling his share of the team and never had any attention of selling. This is just out of the blue," a person close to Katz and the Wilpon family told the Daily News.
The Times story says Katz has grown tiresome of pumping cash into the Mets only to rarely see a return. The Wilpons were linked to financier Bernard Madoff, who was arrested in 2008 for masterminding a massive Ponzi scheme. The Wilpons were financially impacted by the scheme and forced to reduce the Mets' payroll as a result.
According to Newsday, the Mets have steadily reduced payroll since spending a reported $142 million in 2011. This season's payroll is believed to be roughly $82 million, ESPN reported.
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