The consortium of Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez (et al) has added a major new partner in efforts to buy the New York Mets. Mike Repole, founder of Vitaminwater and currrent co-chairman of BodyArmor Superdrink, is reportedly joining the group to buy the franchise as a general partner. The news was reported by Darren Rovell in a tweet.
Repole, also a successful owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses, is said to be worth in the neighborhood of $1 billion. This is not the first time Repole has shown an interest in investing in the Mets. In 2011, he considered becoming a minority owner, but subsequently opted out. He told the New York Post at the time:
“If the Wilpons ever decided they wanted or they had to sell the Mets 100 percent, I would be interested in becoming a managing partner and possibly making a run to buy them.But as a minority owner, whether you buy one or 49 percent, there really isn’t a difference. For $200 million, it might be cheaper just to buy season tickets.”
It is unknown at this early juncture how much of the Mets Repole would own but the Queens native seldom has taken a backseat to anyone in his business dealings.
Mike Repole, 51, began his career at Mistic Beverages before co-founding Glaceau, which produced Smartwater and Vitaminwater. Repole changed the marketing strategy of the company and took Vitaminwater from a company that netted several million in the early 2000s, to sales of over $1 billion in 2007. Coca-Cola bought the company for $4.1 billion in 2007.
The Mets always have been dear to Repole’s heart. The St. John’s alum is friends with David Wright, whom Repole convinced to become a spokesman for Vitaminwater. Even Repole’s racing silks are blue and orange, a homage to the team he loves.
Later, in 2009, Repole co-founded BodyArmor Superdrink, another sports drink company. The company has grown steadily and as of 2018 had revenues of $400 million. Among the investors in BodyArmor are Coca -Cola and the estate of the late Kobe Bryant. BodyArmor is the nations third most purchased sports drink.
With the addition of Repole to the ownership group, there can be little doubt the A-Rod and J-Lo are serious players in acquiring the New York Mets. In Repole, they have a business maverick who seems to succeed in most ventures that interest him. He was clear on his thoughts of minority ownership in 2011 claiming:
“I respect the Wilpons and right now I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. The ship has sailed on me wanting to be a minority owner of the New York Mets.”
Whether Repole has changed his mind, or intends to explore a majority stake is anyone’s guess right now. But the Mets’ ownership landscape has been altered significantly with the news of Mr. Repole’s interest.
