A group headed by 14-time MLB All-Star Derek Jeter and Florida businessman Bruce Sherman has completed its purchase of the Miami Marlins, a Major League Baseball team. Jeter, now a co-owner of the team, has also been named the team's first ever Black CEO.
Jeter retired in 2014 following a 20-year career in baseball playing for the New York Yankees. He won five World Series Championships, was the longest-tenured captain in Yankees history, and is the only player to garner All-Star Game and World Series Most Valuable Player Awards in the same season (2000).
The only other African American that is an owner of a Major League Baseball team is Magic Johnson, who owns the LA Dodgers.
Many celebrities like P. Diddy congratulated Jeter on his historic accomplishment. He posted on his Instagram page: "Congrats to my brother DEREK JETER THE 1st AFRICAN AMERICAN CEO OF A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM. #blackexcellence I HAD THE PLEASURE OF THROWING HIM A CONGRATULATIONS DINNER LAST NIGHT WITH @davegrutman so proud of my friend!"
The Marlins, who won World Series Championships in both 1997 and 2003, were established as the Florida Marlins in 1992 and officially became a part of the league in 1993. The organization was renamed the Miami Marlins during the 2012 season, the same year they moved into Marlins Park, which hosted the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.
Will players kneeling during the national anthem be an issue?
Not according to Jeter himself. He recently told the New York Daily News, "Everyone should be fine with that. They’re focused so much on the fact that they are kneeling as opposed to what they’re kneeling for."
He continued, "Peaceful protests are fine. You have your right to voice your opinion. As long as it’s a peaceful protest, everyone should be fine with that."
Watch Derek Jeter's interview below: