Castellini Co. chairman headed for presidency of Cincinnati Reds
Castellini Co. chairman headed for presidency of Cincinnati Reds
Produce industry veteran Robert H. Castellini may soon be the new president of the Cincinnati Reds.
Mr. Castellini heads a group of local businessmen who have made a bid to purchase a controlling interest in Major League Baseball's oldest franchise. If the group's efforts are approved by the other owners in the league, which is expected to occur before the end of the year, the Cincinnati Reds have announced that Mr. Castellini would replace Carl Lindner as the team's chief executive officer.
Joe Bride, a spokesman for Mr. Castellini, said that Major League Baseball prohibits the bidding group from discussing the situation until the deal is sealed. Mr. Bride said that the only formal announcement came from the Reds, which included a quote from the longtime produce executive. "Carl [Lindner] has meant so much to the Reds and the city of Cincinnati," Mr. Castellini said in the news release. "As such, we are thrilled that he has agreed to continue his association with the club as a significant partner in our ownership group. I look forward to finalizing the agreement and submitting our group for MLB approval in the very near future, as we are very excited about this opportunity and are eager to get started on the work ahead."
Mr. Castellini is the chairman and CEO of Castellini Co., which is now headquartered in Wilder, KY, located across the river from Cincinnati. The Castellini Group of Cos. combines to form one of the larger distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables in the United States, encompassing all major segments of the produce distribution industry. The firm's web site says that the combined companies offer "more than 2,500 fruits, vegetables and floral items including a complete line of value-added, specialty and organic products for the retail and foodservice markets."
The firms making up the Castellini Co. are Crosset, Club Chef, Grant County Foods, RWI, R&O, C.L. Frank Distributors and Fresh Network. Founded in 1896, the Castellini Co. was originally part of the Cincinnati produce terminal market.
This is not the first time that Mr. Castellini has been involved in the sports world. He has previously held ownership interests in both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles, and his company is a sponsor in NASCAR racing.
Earlier this year, several of the owners of the Reds, including Mr. Lindner, announced that they would sell 51.5 percent of the team. The Reds' press release announced that the "purchase price of the interests sold will be based on an enterprise value of the club of approximately $270 million."
Mr. Castellini heads a group of local businessmen who have made a bid to purchase a controlling interest in Major League Baseball's oldest franchise. If the group's efforts are approved by the other owners in the league, which is expected to occur before the end of the year, the Cincinnati Reds have announced that Mr. Castellini would replace Carl Lindner as the team's chief executive officer.
Joe Bride, a spokesman for Mr. Castellini, said that Major League Baseball prohibits the bidding group from discussing the situation until the deal is sealed. Mr. Bride said that the only formal announcement came from the Reds, which included a quote from the longtime produce executive. "Carl [Lindner] has meant so much to the Reds and the city of Cincinnati," Mr. Castellini said in the news release. "As such, we are thrilled that he has agreed to continue his association with the club as a significant partner in our ownership group. I look forward to finalizing the agreement and submitting our group for MLB approval in the very near future, as we are very excited about this opportunity and are eager to get started on the work ahead."
Mr. Castellini is the chairman and CEO of Castellini Co., which is now headquartered in Wilder, KY, located across the river from Cincinnati. The Castellini Group of Cos. combines to form one of the larger distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables in the United States, encompassing all major segments of the produce distribution industry. The firm's web site says that the combined companies offer "more than 2,500 fruits, vegetables and floral items including a complete line of value-added, specialty and organic products for the retail and foodservice markets."
The firms making up the Castellini Co. are Crosset, Club Chef, Grant County Foods, RWI, R&O, C.L. Frank Distributors and Fresh Network. Founded in 1896, the Castellini Co. was originally part of the Cincinnati produce terminal market.
This is not the first time that Mr. Castellini has been involved in the sports world. He has previously held ownership interests in both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles, and his company is a sponsor in NASCAR racing.
Earlier this year, several of the owners of the Reds, including Mr. Lindner, announced that they would sell 51.5 percent of the team. The Reds' press release announced that the "purchase price of the interests sold will be based on an enterprise value of the club of approximately $270 million."
