Padres' Manny Machado hails expected $3.9 billion sale: 'It kind of tells you everything'

Machado monitored a sale process that drew several billionaire suitors and ultimately produced a bidding frenzy.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:55am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match between the San Diego Padres and another team, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, sand, and white colors.The Padres' record-breaking $3.9 billion sale signals a new era of ownership and investment for the franchise, with the team's future now in the hands of deep-pocketed investors.Anaheim Today

Manny Machado, the star third baseman of the San Diego Padres, has expressed excitement and optimism about the expected $3.9 billion sale of the team to a group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. Machado believes the record-breaking sale price indicates the new owners' commitment to building a winning team and continuing the legacy of late owner Peter Seidler, who signed Machado to a 10-year, $300 million contract in 2019.

Why it matters

The sale of the Padres for $3.9 billion, which would be the sixth-highest sale price in North American sports history, signals a shift in the team's status from a traditionally 'small market' franchise to one with deep-pocketed owners who are willing to invest heavily in the team and its future. This could have significant implications for the Padres' ability to retain and attract top talent, as well as their competitiveness in the league.

The details

The Padres' sale is being led by a group consisting of José E. Feliciano, a private equity investor and co-owner of English Premier League club Chelsea, and his wife Kwanza Jones. The deal is expected to be approved by MLB owners in the coming weeks. Feliciano and Jones will become the first Puerto Rican and African American majority owners in MLB, respectively. The sale price represents a nearly fivefold increase from when the Seidler-Fowler group bought the team in 2012.

  • In 2019, the Padres signed Manny Machado to a 10-year, $300 million contract.
  • In 2023, the Padres awarded Machado an 11-year, $350 million contract extension.
  • The Padres' late owner, Peter Seidler, died more than two years ago, prompting speculation about an eventual sale of the team.

The players

Manny Machado

The star third baseman of the San Diego Padres, who signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the team in 2019 and was later awarded an 11-year, $350 million extension in 2023.

José E. Feliciano

A private equity investor and co-owner of English Premier League club Chelsea, who is part of the group that has agreed to purchase the San Diego Padres for $3.9 billion.

Kwanza Jones

The wife of José E. Feliciano and part of the group that has agreed to purchase the San Diego Padres for $3.9 billion.

Peter Seidler

The late owner of the San Diego Padres, who died more than two years ago, prompting speculation about an eventual sale of the team.

Ron Fowler

The co-owner of the San Diego Padres, who bought the team with Peter Seidler in 2012.

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What they’re saying

“I don't want to hear anybody talk about us being a small market no more.”

— Manny Machado, Third Baseman

“If you're bidding that high, it kind of tells you everything about what you want for the organization.”

— Manny Machado, Third Baseman

“That's huge. I know he's going to bring a lot of great things to the organization and to the city itself. And his wife as well. I think they're going to be very great for the city of San Diego.”

— Manny Machado, Third Baseman

“It's a pretty healthy number. A really healthy number. Obviously, it's a little bit sad because everybody knew what Peter built over here, and we all know that (selling the team) was definitely not his goal long-term. But this world works at a different pace, so we just got to get used to it.”

— Fernando Tatis Jr., Right Fielder

“You see there's owners that want to win and want to put a great product on the field because they've seen the benefits of it. I think today is a perfect example of what the benefit is.”

— Jake Cronenworth, Second Baseman, MLBPA Executive Subcommittee Member

What’s next

The sale of the Padres to the Feliciano-Jones group is expected to be approved by MLB owners in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The record-breaking $3.9 billion sale of the San Diego Padres signals a new era of ownership for the franchise, with deep-pocketed investors José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones poised to take over. This could mark a significant shift in the team's ability to retain and attract top talent, as well as their competitiveness in the league, moving the Padres away from their traditional 'small market' status.