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Billionaires Vie for Padres in Potential Record-Breaking Sale
Friedkin, Feliciano, and Lacob among those eyeing MLB franchise after Seidler family puts team on the market
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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The San Diego Padres are officially up for sale following the passing of longtime owner Peter Seidler in 2023. Several high-profile billionaires, including Dan Friedkin, José E. Feliciano, and Joe Lacob, are reportedly vying for ownership of the team, signaling a potentially record-breaking deal for a Major League Baseball franchise.
Why it matters
The Padres' sale process is being closely watched as a barometer for MLB valuations, which have been on the rise due to growing viewership, attendance, and sponsorship earnings. The influx of international investors like Friedkin and Feliciano also represents a diversification of ownership within the league, which has traditionally been dominated by American investors.
The details
The current record for an MLB team sale is $2.42 billion, paid for the New York Mets. The Seidler family is reportedly aiming to exceed the Padres' current Forbes valuation of $1.95 billion. Friedkin, the owner of Premier League's Everton and Serie A's AS Roma, and Feliciano, a co-founder of Clearlake Capital which co-owns Chelsea Football Club, are among the potential buyers. Golden State Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob has also expressed interest in the Padres.
- The Padres were initially purchased in 2012 for $800 million.
- Peter Seidler, the longtime Padres owner, passed away in November 2023.
- The Seidler family listed the team for sale last November.
The players
Dan Friedkin
Owner of Premier League's Everton and Serie A's AS Roma.
José E. Feliciano
Co-founder of Clearlake Capital, which co-owns Chelsea Football Club.
Joe Lacob
Co-owner of the Golden State Warriors.
Peter Seidler
The late longtime owner of the San Diego Padres.
Seidler family
The family that owns the San Diego Padres and listed the team for sale.
What’s next
A deal for the Padres could be finalized in the coming months as the sale process is overseen by investment bank BDT & MSD Partners.
The takeaway
The Padres' sale represents the growing trend of increased investment in MLB from owners of prominent international sports franchises, signaling a diversification of ownership within the league and the potential for continued growth in team valuations.
