Padres Chairman Reaffirms San Diego Commitment as Sale Rumors Swirl

Seidler vows to only sell to owners who will keep the team in San Diego as potential buyers circle the franchise.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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As rumors of a potential Padres sale continue to circulate, team chairman John Seidler has reaffirmed his commitment to keeping the franchise in San Diego. Seidler, who took over after the passing of his brother Peter in 2023, says he will only sell to buyers who pledge to maintain the team's presence in the city. Several high-profile investors, including Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob and businessmen Dan Friedkin and José E. Feliciano, have expressed interest in purchasing the Padres.

Why it matters

The Padres have built an exciting young core of talent in recent years, led by stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts. Keeping the team in San Diego is crucial to maintaining that momentum and ensuring the loyal Padres fanbase can continue supporting the club.

The details

Seidler has overseen two playoff appearances and one playoff series win since taking over the Padres following his brother's passing in 2023. With the franchise potentially on the market, Seidler has made it clear he will not entertain offers from buyers who want to relocate the team, stating "The Padres have no business relocating, and that means that fans should not fret about it. I will not sell to anyone that wants to leave the city of San Diego."

  • Peter Seidler, the previous Padres chairman, passed away in November 2023 at the age of 63.
  • John Seidler took over as Padres chairman following his brother's death in 2023.

The players

John Seidler

The current chairman of the San Diego Padres, who took over the franchise following the death of his brother Peter in 2023.

Joe Lacob

The owner of the Golden State Warriors, who has expressed interest in potentially purchasing the San Diego Padres.

Dan Friedkin

A businessman who has shown interest in buying the San Diego Padres.

José E. Feliciano

A businessman who has shown interest in buying the San Diego Padres.

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What they’re saying

“The Padres have no business relocating, and that means that fans should not fret about it. I will not sell to anyone that wants to leave the city of San Diego.”

— John Seidler, Padres Chairman (friarsonbase.com)

The takeaway

Padres fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the team's current chairman is committed to keeping the franchise in San Diego, even as potential buyers circle the team. This commitment to the city and its loyal fanbase is crucial as the Padres look to build on their recent success and contend for championships in the years to come.