SAN DIEGO -- The Padres announced on Saturday that the Seidler family has agreed to transfer control of the franchise to a new ownership group led by investors and philanthropic leaders Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano.
The agreement is subject to approval by Major League Baseball and the league’s customary closing conditions.
In a joint statement released through the team, 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.”
In November, the Padres announced they would be exploring the potential sale of the club. The process moved relatively swiftly from there. Per reports, the field was narrowed to four bidders earlier this spring, with the bid from Jones and Feliciano ultimately the one chosen.
“I’m thrilled that after a highly competitive process, Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano will become the next majority owners of the Padres,” chairman John Seidler said in a statement. “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.”
The Seidler family was part of the group that bought the franchise for $800 million from previous owner John Moores in 2012. Ron Fowler served as executive chairman from 2012-20, before Peter Seidler, who had been one of the team’s lead investors during those eight years, took over as control person following the ‘20 season.
Seidler served in that role for three years before his death in November 2023, and the team remained owned by his family afterward, with Peter Seidler’s eldest brother, John, named chairman prior to the 2025 season.
Earlier this spring, John Seidler cited “tremendous interest” from potential buyers, touting the appeal of the Padres as a franchise. They’ve ranked second in the Majors in attendance in each of the last two seasons, and they’ve broken the franchise attendance records in three years running.
The team itself has a whole lot to do with that. The Padres are in the midst of the most successful era in franchise history, having reached the postseason in four of the past six years, with Petco Park packed on a nightly basis.
Among other things, Jones and Feliciano will be tasked with building on that success and bringing the franchise its first World Series title.
Jones and Feliciano are co-founders of the Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano Initiative, a private family office established in 2014. Jones serves as CEO of the family office and has served as a board member and advisor to numerous institutions. Feliciano is the co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital Group. He has served as a board member of various organizations as well.
Per the Padres’ release, the team will continue to operate as usual throughout the approval process, without changes to day-to-day business operations. The next MLB owners meeting is scheduled for June, at which point the approval process could be finalized.