Saturday, October 17, 2026

Michael B. Kim Interested in Buying Washington Nationals

  • Michael B. Kim is reportedly among the prospective buyers for the Washington Nationals.
  • Kim founded MBK Partners, which has more than $25 billion in assets under management.
Washington-Nationals
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The owners of the Washington Nationals announced their intentions to explore a sale of the team in April, and Michael B. Kim is reportedly among the prospective buyers.

There is no sale price, though Forbes’ latest valuation of the team was $2 billion — 12th in MLB.

Kim founded MBK Partners, which has more than $25 billion in assets under management, in 2005. Forbes lists Kim as South Korea’s third-richest person with a net worth of $7.7 billion.

  • Kim met with team officials in June at Nationals Park.
  • One other group has already met with team officials, and a third has plans to do so.
  • None of the groups have Washington ties, according to The Washington Post.

The Lerner family purchased the Nationals for $450 million in 2006, beating out seven other groups. Under their ownership, the team has won four National League East titles and the 2019 World Series.

“This is an exploratory process, so there is no set timetable or expectation of a specific outcome,” Mark Lerner said. The Washington Post reports that talks will likely end in a sale. 

Bank’s Business

Allen & Company, the New York investment bank running the process, managed the sale of the New York Nets, the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, and the record-breaking $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for the
Asset Class Newsletter

Get the latest in sports finance, investment, and transaction activity, straight to your inbox once a week.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Small-Market Brewers Clinch First NL Pennant

Milwaukee is advancing to its first World Series since 1982.

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 12, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relieves pitcher Kris Bubic (40) during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game two of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field.

As Dodgers’ NLCS Hopes Fade, Game 3 Ticket Prices Drop

Get-in pricing for Dodger Stadium games is falling sharply.

Dodgers’ Payroll Bigger Than Rest of MLB Final Four Combined

The LCS round highlights a revenue and spending imbalance.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/16/26 – Aikman Eyes Free Agency, CFP Nears 24 Teams, Stoudemire Becomes Cop

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.

Diamond Baseball Holdings Interested in ‘Any and All’ MiLB Teams

The Silver Lake–backed entity remains on the hunt for more teams.
Exclusive
September 15, 2026

Novig CEO Says Sydney Sweeney Drove Visuals of Nude Ad

“We never intended to portray female sports,” Jacob Fortinsky told FOS.
Sam Porter
September 15, 2026

Private Equity Giant Apollo Taking ‘Hard Look’ at NFL Investment

Apollo isn’t on the NFL’s approved PE list—yet.
Sponsored

The State of AI in Sports 2026

Front Office Sports and Teamworks reveal how AI is reshaping sports in the first industry-wide report on adoption, investment, and impact.
Mar 28, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez celebrate the team's win over the Phoenix Suns at Target Center
August 21, 2026

Why Flood of NBA Team Sales Isn’t Slowing

Often it’s less about love of team, more about love of returns.
May 24, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Yoni Andica (COL) during the weightlifting competition at the Enhanced Games at Resorts World Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit:
August 18, 2026

Enhanced Games Parent Company Posts $62M Loss After Debut Event

Enhanced Groups is now focusing on supplements and smaller events.
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2026 France's Moise Kouame reacts during his second round match against Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
May 29, 2026

Lawyers Explain Odd Case of Moïse Kouamé’s French Open Prize Money

Kouamé has secured nearly $220,000 by advancing to Round 3 in Paris.
Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 23, 2025

Can Travis Kelce Save Six Flags?

The NFL star joined an activist investor in pushing for change.