New Owners Take Over San Diego Padres in 3.9 Billion Purchase

Private equity investor Jose E. Feliciano and singer-songwriter Kwanza Jones officially introduced themselves as the new owners of the San Diego Padres during a press conference at Petco Park on Monday, following the completion of their $3.9 billion acquisition from the Seidler family.

Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the offer a week ago, allowing the transaction to officially close on Friday. The pair took over the franchise as the sixth owners in club history, with the Padres currently contending for a National League Wild Card berth.

Before placing their initial bid, the couple conducted due diligence at the team's spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona, where team president Erik Greupner set up a computer pitching simulator.

"We were all in," said Kwanza Jones, owner of the San Diego Padres.

Jones unveiled a new club jingle in a promotional video at the start of the press conference and captured photos of the gathered media during the event.

"We are here and we are absolutely committed to the Padres," said Kwanza Jones, owner of the San Diego Padres. "We are absolutely committed to this organization. We are overjoyed, and we understand, if you heard it in the video, we’re gonna win, we’re gonna win, we’re gonna win it all. I hope it’s sooner rather than later."

The Padres have made two World Series appearances in their 57-year franchise history, most recently in 1998, but have never won a championship title. Previous owner Ray Kroc died in 1984 before the team reached its first World Series, and Peter Seidler passed away after steering the club to the 2022 NL Championship Series.

"We gonna win. We gonna win. We’re going to win, win it all," said Kwanza Jones, owner of the San Diego Padres. "We hope it’s sooner rather than later."

The couple donned customized Padres jerseys at the conference, with Feliciano wearing No. 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente and Jones selecting No. 00.

"It’s a long journey and we don’t take it for granted," said Kwanza Jones, owner of the San Diego Padres. "Yes, there’s a lot of success in our story, but you build that resilience with the ups and downs. It allows you to wake up the next day and do it again.

You never lose that hope. There’s always the possibility of the dream."

She emphasized a fresh start for the organization under the new leadership group.

"We’re starting at zero," said Kwanza Jones, owner of the San Diego Padres. "The possibilities are limitless."

Feliciano, who co-founded Clearlake Capital and holds an ownership stake in English soccer club Chelsea F.C., addressed his vision for player investment and roster construction moving forward.

"Which means we’re undefeated," said Jose E. Feliciano, owner of the San Diego Padres.

He expressed his ultimate goal for the franchise during his remarks to reporters.

"Listen, I’m a longtime baseball fan," said Jose E. Feliciano, owner of the San Diego Padres. "I won’t tell you the team I used to root for, but right now I root for the Padres.

We need to win the World Series. It’s that simple."

He noted the early phase of their ownership transition while evaluating the team's current structure.

"How do I map out where I want to be and the impact I want to make?" said Jose E. Feliciano, owner of the San Diego Padres. "So, part of the foundation for me is slowing down and understanding that most things worth having won’t come instantly or easily.

Look at where we are with the Padres. Look at where we are as far as what had already been achieved. And we’re only three days in."

The new ownership confirmed that Greupner will remain as team president into the 2030s, while general manager A.J. Preller will have his existing contract honored. On the field, the Padres hold a 71-60 record and maintain a two-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League Wild Card spot.