San Diego Padres’ Ownership Transferred to José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones

The sale of the San Diego Padres to an investor group, led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife and business partner, Kwanza Jones, received unanimous approval from Major League Baseball’s team owners. This announcement came after a vote by the league.

Feliciano and Jones finalized an agreement in May to acquire the Padres from the family of the late owner Peter Seidler, setting a new Major League Baseball record valuation of $3.9 billion. The transaction still requires official closure in the coming weeks.

José and Kwanza understand the unique place the Padres hold in San Diego and the powerful bond between the club and its fans, Commissioner Rob Manfred stated, expressing optimism about their leadership and contribution to Major League Baseball.

Last November, Seidler’s family expressed intent to sell the Padres, two years after Peter Seidler’s passing. José E. Feliciano, co-founder of the Santa Monica-based private equity firm Clearlake Capital, stood out as the preferred candidate of the Seidler family.

The team’s operations will continue under the direction of Padres CEO Erik Greupner and General Manager A.J. Preller, as announced by MLB.

Jones and Feliciano expressed their gratitude to the Seidler family, acknowledging the legacy of Peter Seidler in elevating the franchise’s aspirations. They conveyed their ambition to secure a World Series championship for San Diego and establish a sustainable competitive organization. Their goal is active involvement, supporting the current team, and strategically investing in the Padres’ future.

Peter Seidler assumed majority control of the Padres in 2020 and was known for his generous financial support to boost the team. Under his leadership, the Padres made substantial progress, earning four playoff spots in the past six years. They are currently competing in the playoff race, recording notable victories recently.

Padres Manager Craig Stammen, speaking in New York, shared that day-to-day operations remain unchanged, reflecting the ongoing focus on game performance. He welcomed the new ownership and looked forward to continued success.

The new ownership group also includes minority partners Joey and Jesse Buss. Their involvement coincides with the Buss siblings selling their remaining stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to new majority owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger.

Feliciano and Jones have been vocal about their admiration for the Padres as a community unifier. They have attended games in San Diego and Mexico City, showing their engagement with the team and fans.

Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill shared his perspective, emphasizing trust and confidence in the new ownership. He remarked on the dedication the Seidlers demonstrated and anticipated the positive influence of Feliciano and Jones.

The Padres remain a coveted team, as the only North American major sports league team based in a metropolitan area of roughly 3.3 million people. Petco Park, located downtown, is recognized for its vibrant atmosphere, with the Padres ranking second in major league attendance last season.

Feliciano, originating from Puerto Rico, becomes the second Latino principal owner in baseball, joining the Los Angeles Angels’ Arte Moreno. Latino and Hispanic players constitute approximately 30% of major league rosters.

An introductory news conference featuring Feliciano and Jones is scheduled at Petco Park on Monday, August 24.

AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report. For more on MLB, visit AP MLB.