Digg

del-icio-us

technorati

Facebook

Yahoo!

NEW YORK — Mets owner Jeff Willpon confirmed the sale of his team to citizen group Our Teams NY (OTNY) yesterday in an interview on WFAN. “I feel noble giving New York fans their own team” said Willpon. Neither Willpon nor OTNY spokesperson Sara Smith disclosed the sale amount. “It’s part of our deal” remarked Smith, “but the amount was substantial. This was no gift!”

Skeptics of Willpon’s generosity are quick to mention controversial tax-free stadium-building bonds and lawsuits including those opposing Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn. Some residents affected by the potential stadiums have been increasing pressure on Mets management for months, and many joined OTNY in part to protect their homes. “They don’t care if we have to sleep in the streets” shouted Nurse’s Aid Angie Martinez over a passing train, “and they won’t let us sleep in the streets either!”

Smith described OTNY as a cooperative of mostly blue-color families: “people buy shares and can sell them if they move away — you have to live in the area”. OTNY member Nar Kist explained further “we shareholders make the decisions together, but over 100 shares you can’t vote any more so we can keep the fat cats from taking over with
money”.

Other team owners reacted with worry and anger, often referring to the publicly-owned Green Bay Packers. “The commies from Wisconsin must be visiting” said Angels owner Arte Moreno.

NYPD officer Tony Renko, owner of 5 shares of OTNY, hinted that the Mets are only the beginning. “We’re blessed with lots of sports around here and not so much helps your average citizen. OTNY is changing that with unions and other things.” Indeed OTNY immediately announced plans to encourage unions from janitors to players. When asked whether he was worried about reduced player’s salaries, Renko said “I don’t know if loyal New York players will complain about salaries, but if it helps, the team is welcome at my dinner table any day.”

In the interest of full disclosure: the reporter is now a proud co-owner of the Mets.