Martin Luther King III Looking to Become Part Owner of New York Mets

Due to the Bernie Madoff scandal, current New York Mets owners, the Wilpon family, are looking to sell a portion of their stake in the franchise.

That sale, though, may prove far more notable than they would have expected, as Martin Luther King III, son of the late Martin Luther King Jr., is looking to become part of the ownership group — and the MLB's only African-American owner in the process, according to the New York Post.

"It's fitting with the legacy of Jackie Robinson essentially transferring to the Mets; what better place to have African-American ownership than with the Mets," said Larry Meli, another member of the prospective ownership group.

"The time and place are right for it. It just seems to be the right mix of people," he continued.

The group also includes Mets legend Ed Kranepool and Donn Clendenon Jr, son of the Mets' 1969 World Series MVP, but King, clearly, would serve as the figurehead for the group.

"What professional athlete wouldn't want to play baseball for Martin Luther King III?"

"Martin Luther King Jr. died for the common man to do better in his life," Meli said. "That sort of legacy is going to take hold here."

King, who currently runs the King Center in Atlanta, is expected to meet with the Wilpons this coming week.