Derek Jeter out of Marlins CEO role: Hall of Famer is stepping down after five years with Miami

The Miami Marlins and CEO Derek Jeter mutually agreed to separate. It was announced on Monday that Jeter would be stepping down immediately, in a surprising move. The Hall of Famer was baseball’s first and remains the game’s only black CEO.

Here is the statement Jeter released explaining his decision, which he said was influenced by the Marlins’ “vision of the future.”

“Today I am announcing that we are officially ending our relationship with the Miami Marlins and will no longer serve as CEO or shareholder of the club. Five years ago we had a vision to transform the Marlins franchise, and as CEO, I have been proud to put my name and reputation on the line to make our plan a reality. Through hard work and trust. and accountability, we’ve changed every aspect of franchising, reshaped the workforce, and created a long-term strategic plan for success.

“However, the vision for the future of the franchise is different from the one I signed up to lead. Now is the time for me to step aside as a new season begins.

“My family and I would like to thank our wonderful staff, Marlins fans, Marlins players, and the great Miami community for welcoming us with open arms and making us feel right at home. The organization is stronger today than it was five years ago, and I am thankful and grateful to be part of this team.”

To say that “the vision for the future of the franchise is different from that which I co-led” would certainly raise some eyebrows, and his sudden departure suggests a rift with others in the organization. Jeter joined Marlins as part of Bruce Sherman’s ownership group in 2017, when they bought the team for $1.2 billion from Jeffrey Loria. Jeter owned four percent of the franchise and earned a salary of $5 million a year. His contract was due to expire after 2022.

“The Miami Marlins and Derek Jeter announced today that they have agreed to formally end their relationship. The Marlins thanks Derek for his many contributions and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” Sherman said in a statement. “We have a deep base of talent that will oversee business and baseball decisions as we work to identify a new CEO to lead our franchise. The Ownership Group is committed to continuing to invest in the future of the franchise – and we are determined to build a team that will return beyond the season and excite Marlins fans and the local community.”

As CEO, Jeter has had significant input into the team’s front office and baseball operations over the years. Among those in his close circle with the Marlins were General Manager Kim Ng and Director of Player Development and Exploration Gary Denbo, both of whom have long histories with Jeter dating back to their time with the Marlins. New York Yankees. The club’s coaching and player development staff also includes many former Yankees players and employees.

“Derek is the winner on and off the field,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “In addition to his valuable contributions as a front office executive, Derek has been a highly respected voice on diversity and competition committees. He helped build a talented front office with the Marlins, including moving the game forward by hiring women to senior positions in the club’s baseball operations. and executive leadership, and the organization that set the Marlins for long-term success. Derek is a pillar of our game and we look forward to his future contributions to baseball.”

Jeter’s stepping down comes at a crucial and historically important time for baseball. The ongoing shutdown already initiated by the owner is the second longest working shutdown in baseball history, Monday is an artificial deadline for the two sides to strike a deal and avoid postponing the opening day and canceling the regular season matches.. However, Jeter’s stepping down allows the Marlins to find a new CEO and tailor their search to the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, once it is finalized.

some MLB players, Including Mets Shortstop star Francisco LindorHe praised Jeter’s step and timing. More on that here.

Soon after Jeter and Sherman took over in 2017, the Marlins ditched the payroll and dumped top talent such as Christian WillichAnd the Marcel OzunaAnd the JT Realmotoand then rules NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. The club is trying to rebuild through the farm system, and while they qualified for the post-season extended 31-29 in 2020, they lost at least 95 games in the three full 162 seasons in the Jeter/Sherman era.