San Diego Padres reach agreement to sell franchise to investor group led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano
The transaction marks a significant shift in ownership for the NL West franchise, with the new owners pledging to maintain the team's community ties and championship aspirations.
The family of late owner Peter Seidler has formally announced an agreement to sell the San Diego Padres to an investor group led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano. The deal, valued at a record $3.9 billion, represents a major institutional transition for the franchise but remains subject to final approval by Major League Baseball.
While the Seidler family confirmed the sale on Saturday, specific details regarding the full composition of the investor group and the exact purchase price were not disclosed in the initial announcement. Jones and Feliciano, who have previously worked together as life and business partners, stated their commitment to continuing the team's pursuit of a World Series championship and reinforcing its connection to the San Diego community.
John Seidler, Peter's brother and current chairman, confirmed he is passing control to the new owners. He noted that his goal as control person was to build on recent success in pursuit of a title for the city and its fans, expressing full confidence that Jones and Feliciano share that vision. The Seidler family began exploring a sale last November, two years after Peter Seidler passed away, having become the primary owner in 2020.
Under Seidler's ownership, which began after he purchased the team from Ron Fowler in 2012, the franchise has reached the playoffs in four of the past six seasons. This performance was largely driven by aggressive backing of general manager A.J. Preller, whose roster currently sits second in the NL West with a 19-12 record. The Padres also rank second in the majors in attendance, serving as the only team in the four biggest North American sports leagues within San Diego.
The sale would make José E. Feliciano the second Latino owner in Major League Baseball history, following Arte Moreno of the Los Angeles Angels. Latino and Hispanic players comprise approximately 30 per cent of major league rosters, a statistic that underscores the demographic significance of the new ownership structure within the sport.
Jones and Feliciano have already begun engaging with the franchise's operations, having visited Mexico City last month to watch the Padres' international series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. During the trip, they were seen with Padres CEO Erik Greupner, signalling an early involvement in the team's strategic direction before the transaction is fully ratified.
