San Diego Padres nearing deal to be sold for $3.9 billion: The Wall Street Journal
NBC 7 San Diego • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Diego Padres are close to being sold to private-equity billionaire José E. Feliciano for a record $3.9 billion, with an official announcement expected early next week.
- Feliciano, co-founder of Clearlake Capital managing over $90 billion, has prior sports ownership experience, including a partnership to buy Chelsea F.C. in 2022, and attempted acquisitions of NFL teams.
- Feliciano and his wife Kwanza Jones will become historic owners as the first Puerto Rican-born and first Black female owners of a major North American sports franchise, respectively.
- The sale requires approval from 75% of MLB owners, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the City of San Diego, with the process potentially expedited due to the Seidler family's positive reputation.
- Timing of the ownership transition is critical, as it could affect roster decisions around the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline, with incumbent owners likely retaining final say on trades but consulting meaningfully with incoming ownership.
