The Washington Nationals, a Major League Baseball team, will not be changing hands anytime soon. The principal owner, Mark Lerner, announced on Monday that the team is no longer up for sale after being on the market for two years. This decision comes after no suitable buyer emerged during the sale process.
Lerner and his family had initially expressed interest in selling the team back in April of 2022, but it seems that they have had a change of heart. The decision to retain ownership of the Nationals was made by the Lerner family, who have been the owners of the team since 2006. Mark Lerner took over control of the franchise from his father, Ted, in 2018.
In a statement to The Washington Post, Mark Lerner said, “We have determined, our family has determined, that we are not going to sell the team.” He also mentioned that they are content with owning the team and are focused on bringing a championship back to Washington.
The Nationals won their first and only World Series title in 2019, but have since undergone a rebuilding phase. Only four players from that championship-winning roster remain on the team, and the Nationals have finished last in the NL East division in the four years following their title run.
Interestingly, the nearby Baltimore Orioles are in the process of being sold to David Rubenstein for $1.725 billion. Rubenstein was also a potential buyer for the Nationals but opted to purchase the Orioles instead. This acquisition is pending approval from the rest of the MLB owners.
Overall, the decision to keep the Washington Nationals under the ownership of the Lerner family will have implications for the team’s future direction and strategies. Fans will be eager to see how the team continues to evolve and compete in the highly competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
