MLB approves Padres' sale to José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones
Major League Baseball announced today that the owners of the Major League Clubs have unanimously approved the new ownership group of the San Diego Padres, led by incoming Control Person José E. Feliciano and his wife and business partner, Kwanza Jones. The vote was conducted during a conference call. The approval remains contingent upon the closing of the transaction involving the controlling interest in the Club with the current owners of the Padres, which is expected in the weeks ahead.
Feliciano has been designated as the Padres' Control Person in accordance with MLB governance requirements. The Padres will continue to be led day-to-day by Chief Executive Officer Erik Greupner and President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller. Jones and Feliciano will hold an introductory press conference on Monday, Aug. 24, at 1:00 p.m. PT at Petco Park.
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement:
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I thank John Seidler and the entire Seidler family for their stewardship of the San Diego Padres. Continuing the legacy established by the late Peter Seidler, the Padres reached the Postseason four times in the last six years, energized one of baseball’s most passionate fanbases, and strengthened the Club’s role as a cornerstone of the San Diego community. We appreciate the Seidler family’s longstanding commitment to our National Pastime and their many contributions to the game.
“It is my pleasure to welcome José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones as the new majority owners of the Padres following today’s vote. José and Kwanza understand the unique place the Padres hold in San Diego and the powerful bond between the Club and its fans. We look forward to their leadership of the Padres and to working with them to build on the Club’s strong foundation in a market that is so important to Major League Baseball.”
“We are a family first, and becoming owners of the San Diego Padres means joining an even larger one,” said Jones and Feliciano in a statement. “We are grateful to the Seidler family, and especially to Peter, for raising the expectations of what this franchise can achieve. We have built our life and our work together, and we will bring that same shared purpose, commitment, and determination to our stewardship of the Padres. It is a source of immense pride and an extraordinary opportunity to become part of a team, a tradition, and the San Diego community that has supported it so faithfully.
“Our ambition is clear: to bring a World Series championship to San Diego and build an enduring organization capable of competing for championships year after year. We intend to be engaged owners, bringing our energy, experience, and perspective while working alongside the talented team already in place and investing ambitiously and thoughtfully in the Padres’ future. That means pursuing excellence and innovation throughout the organization, delivering a first-class experience at Petco Park, deepening the bond with the faithful fans, and making a positive impact across the San Diego community. We are all in and committed to winning.”
About Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano
Jones and Feliciano are husband and wife and longtime business partners and co-founders of the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, a private family office established in 2014. Jones serves as Chief Executive Officer of the family office, leading its strategic direction, governance framework, and investment oversight across asset classes as a co-controlling Principal. An entrepreneur, investor, artist, and former NCAA Division I athlete, she has served as a board member and advisor to numerous institutions, including UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, the Apollo Theater, and as former Chair of the Board of Bennett College. Feliciano is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clearlake Capital Group. He has served as a board member of various organizations, including the LA28 Olympics & Paralympic Games, Cedars-Sinai, and as a Trustee of Stanford University.
Through the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, their family investment and philanthropic platform, Jones and Feliciano invest in opportunities that expand access, create economic mobility, and strengthen communities. Through their charitable giving, advocacy, investments, and strategic partnerships, they have supported causes ranging from education and entrepreneurship to healthcare, social impact, arts and culture, and civic engagement. Their work reflects a shared belief in the transformative power of opportunity, inclusion, and community investment – values that will inform their shared stewardship of the Padres and their relationship with San Diego.