Kwanza Jones and her husband, José E. Feliciano, are now the owners of the San Diego Padres, according to Major League Baseball. The move follows the Seidler family’s agreement to sell the team to the couple in a deal reportedly valued at $3.9 billion. The sale makes Jones the first Black woman to own an MLB franchise.
Jones’ ownership marks a historic shift in Major League Baseball, where team leadership has long lacked diversity at the highest levels – places Jones and Feliciano among the most visible investors in professional sports.
The Seidler family had led the Padres for more than a decade, guiding the organization through major roster investments and a renewed push for postseason success before agreeing to sell the team earlier this year.
Jones and Feliciano have spent more than a decade investing across industries. She serves on several boards, including UCLA Health and the Apollo Theater, and both are graduates of Princeton University.
MLB and its owners unanimously approved the pair as the Padres’ new owners on Aug. 17, according to a press release. They received an official welcome on Aug. 24. Sports Business Journal reports that Jones and Feliciano now hold nearly a 45% stake in the team through their personal investment.
“We are a family first, and becoming owners of the San Diego Padres means joining an even larger one,” Jones and Feliciano said in a press release announcing the sale. “We have built our life and our work together, and we will bring that same shared purpose, commitment, and determination to our stewardship of the Padres.”
They said their goal is to bring a World Series championship to San Diego and build an organization capable of competing for titles consistently. “We intend to be engaged owners, bringing our energy, experience, and perspective while working alongside the talented team already in place and investing ambitiously and thoughtfully in the Padres’ future,” they continued.
Their priorities include pursuing excellence throughout the organization, delivering a first-class experience at Petco Park, strengthening ties with fans, and making a positive impact across the San Diego community.
With league approval secured, Jones and Feliciano are expected to begin working alongside team leadership as the Padres prepare for the upcoming season. MLB officials say the transition will continue over the next several months, with the new owners taking on a more active role in shaping long-term strategy, community engagement and the organization’s competitive direction.
Information from MLB.com, Sports Business Journal and AFRO Tech contributed to this report.