Jeffrey Loria is a former owner of the Miami Marlins baseball team. He began his career in baseball as a minor league player in the 1960s, but ultimately found more success as a businessman. In the 1980s, he became involved in the art world and eventually became a successful art dealer.
In 1999, Loria purchased the Montreal Expos baseball team. He quickly became known for his controversial decisions, including firing popular manager Felipe Alou and trading away star players. In 2002, Loria sold the Expos to Major League Baseball, who eventually moved the team to Washington, D.C.
Loria then purchased the Florida Marlins (now the Miami Marlins) in 2002. He again made controversial decisions, including firing manager Joe Girardi after he led the team to a winning season and trading away star players. However, Loria also oversaw the team's 2003 World Series win.
Throughout his ownership of the Marlins, Loria was criticized for his frugal spending on player salaries and for using public funds to build a new stadium. He also faced legal troubles, including a lawsuit from former Marlins season ticket holders who claimed he had misled them about his plans for the team.
In 2017, Loria sold the Marlins to a group led by Derek Jeter. The sale was controversial, as Loria reportedly received a large profit despite the team's poor performance and low attendance. Loria's legacy as a baseball owner is mixed, with some praising his success in winning a World Series and others criticizing his controversial decisions and financial dealings.
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