BOSTON -- High-tech executive Roger Marino reportedly has withdrawn his bid to become chief owner of the Boston Red Sox to concentrate on producing movies.

"I've made a big commitment to the film industry and it's a full-time job," Marino told The Boston Globe. "But I could end up partnering with someone later in the game."

Red Sox spokeswoman Jody Matthews on Friday declined to comment on the report.

Late last year, Marino was the first to publicly announce he was bidding on the franchise after Red Sox chief executive John Harrington said he was selling the Yawkey Trust's controlling interest in the team.

But on Thursday the former owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins said he was withdrawing his application to be lead owner of the Red Sox, saying his career as a film producer is his primary focus. He recently bankrolled the movie "Ciao America."

Marino, a co-founder of Hopkinton-based EMC Corp., a computer storage company, didn't rule out the idea of becoming a limited partner with another Red Sox bidder. But he said he will forfeit his $25,000 application fee.

Marino declined to say whether he's talked with other prospective bidders, but said he has not agreed to join any of the other five groups approved by major league baseball to view the Red Sox's confidential financial records.

Other approved bidders include a local group led by Boston Concessions owner Joseph O'Donnell and developer Stephen Karp; billionaire Cablevision chairman Charles Dolan; Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs; a group led by television executive Tom Werner; and current Sox limited partner Aramark Corp., the concessionaire at Fenway Park.

Marino lost about $45 million during his 2½ years as owner of the Penguins before former Mario Lemieux bought the team and kept it out of bankruptcy.