The San Diego Padres have officially announced the ownership transfer of the team to José E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones. The couple will own approximately 40% of the team and Feliciano will be the controlling partner in the eyes of MLB. They will be joined by a group of owners that will continue to include Alfredo Harp Hélu, some members of the Seidler family and others who are not officially known.
The MLB owners must approve the ownership in a vote that has to be at least 75% of the 30 owners. The running of the team will remain with the Seidler family until the vote is held. There is reportedly to be no change in the day-to-day operations of the team or in leadership during this final process.
Padres Chairman, John Seidler, released a statement on Saturday morning.
“I’m thrilled that after a highly competitive process, Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano will become the next majority owners of the Padres,” Seidler said. “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.”
Feliciano and Jones also released a statement.
“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.”
The couple presumably will own the team as a personal investment that will be outside the involvement of the private equity group, Clearlake Capital, that Feliciano co-owns. The equity partners also control Premiere League team Chelsea.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Feliciano played Little League and his wife, Jones, was raised in Washington D.C. and was an athlete at Princeton. The couple met at Princeton and have been married since 2002. They live in Los Angeles but are reported to be planning to purchase a home in San Diego and transfer their charitable foundation here.
The MLB ownership group can approve the sale in person at their next meeting this summer or they could hold a virtual meeting in order to vote regarding the sale. It is not known if an official announcement of all members of the new ownership group is to be made.
