Padres Announce Agreement For New Ownership, Ushering In New Era Led By Kwanza Jones And José E. Feliciano
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The San Diego Padres today announced that the Seidler Family has entered into a definitive agreement for the transfer of control of the franchise to a new ownership group led by investors and philanthropic leaders, Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano, subject to approval by Major League Baseball and customary closing conditions.
“I’m thrilled that after a highly competitive process, Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano will become the next majority owners of the Padres,” said Padres Chairman John Seidler. “When I became control person, my goal was to continue building on our recent success in pursuit of a World Series Championship for the city of San Diego and our faithful fans. Now, as I pass the baton to Kwanza and José, I do so with full confidence that they share that vision, as well as the Padres deep commitment to San Diego. It’s what the team, our fans, and the community deserve.
“Our family loves this team. This is a bittersweet moment for us as we reflect on what the Padres have accomplished since my brother Peter became the steward of the franchise. I congratulate Kwanza, José, and the Padres, and wish them nothing but success. We look forward to a smooth transition.”
In a joint statement, Jones and Feliciano said, “The Padres are more than a baseball team; they are a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection, and belonging. As life and business partners, and as a family, we are honored to lead this next chapter together.
“We have worked hard for everything we have achieved, and we have built it together. We see that same spirit in this team and its fans, and we know what it takes to win.
“We are committed to showing up, listening, and earning the trust of this community, while building on the strong foundation established by the Seidler family.
“This is about more than baseball — it’s about boosting the pride, energy, and connection that define the Padres, investing in community, deepening belonging, and ensuring this team remains accessible and endures for generations. We are all in — with the goal of bringing a World Series championship to San Diego.”
Inner Circle Sports and BofA Securities are serving as financial advisors, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is legal counsel to the group led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano. BDT & MSD Partners is acting as financial advisor and Davis Polk & Wardwell is serving as legal counsel to the Padres on the transaction. ImpactX Sports Group served as strategic transaction advisor to the Feliciano-Jones Group.
The Padres will continue to operate in the ordinary course throughout the MLB approval process. There will be no changes to day-to-day business operations as a result of today’s announcement. No further information regarding the transaction will be disclosed at this time.
About Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano:
Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano are life and business partners and co-founders of the Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano Initiative, a private family office established in 2014.
Kwanza 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. 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.
José E. 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.