Yahoo Finance Mets add former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to team's board of directors
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has a new job, and he'll be working alongside an old benefactor.
The New York Mets announced Friday that their board of directors will bring aboard Christie and Jeanne Melino, the executive director of Mets owner Steve Cohen's foundation and chief inclusion and engagement officer of his Point72 hedge fund. Additionally, Melino will also became senior vice president of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation.
The move puts two more Cohen allies in place atop the Mets. The board will now be composed of Cohen, Christie, Melino, former Mets owner Fred Wilpon and Mets vice chairman (and Point72's chief investment officer) Andrew Cohen.
Chris Christie and Steve Cohen have old ties
This isn't the first time Cohen has thrown Christie a bone.
The hedge fund billionaire personally donated $1 million to Christie's failed campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, according to the New York Post. Cohen's wife Alexandra also reportedly donated $1 million to Christie's campaign in 2015.
Both men later became supporters of former President Donald Trump, with Cohen donating $1 million to Trump's inauguration and Christie heading Trump's transition team for a few days until his firing. Christie left office in New Jersey in 2018, and has since worked as a lobbyist and media contributor.
From the Mets' release:
"I am honored to be named to the Mets Board of Directors. Steve and Alex Cohen have been great friends to me and Mary Pat for years and we thank them for including me in this new challenge and opportunity. As a Mets fan for the last 53 years, I am looking forward to helping Steve, Alex and the New York Mets organization bring a great experience to Mets fans and the community."
Christie has one other personal tie to the Mets, as his son Andrew works for the team as the coordinator of amateur and international scouting.
More from Yahoo Sports:
