Bill Maher Buys Stake in Mets

The Mets have found an unlikely hero: Lifelong fan Bill Maher has snapped up a minority stake in the team as it struggles to overcome its debt. He says he was inspired to make the purchase after reading that the owners were selling a dozen such stakes. "First of all, I think it's a great investment," he says. "People sometimes forget that there's only one National League franchise in New York City and they're not making any more."

The buy happened "months ago," he says, but wasn't revealed until before last night's game because the now-LA resident hadn't been back to the city since the purchase. So will we be seeing the comedian's influence on the team? Though Maher says he doesn't plan on getting involved, he did tout his new effect on the Mets, reports the Star-Ledger: "I think my role is going to be bringing luck to the team—they didn't have a no-hitter for 50 years, I buy in and I come to town and there's a no-hitter. Draw your own conclusions." (More Bill Maher stories.)