Four Groups Advance in San Diego Padres Sale

Four prospective ownership groups are advancing to the final bidding stage for the San Diego Padres, with submissions expected by mid-April, according to multiple reports. The Major League Baseball franchise, currently owned by the Seidler family, is anticipated to fetch a record-breaking price near $3 billion, surpassing the $2.4 billion Steve Cohen paid for the New York Mets in 2020.

The process began in late February when five groups submitted initial bids to the Seidler family. One group has since been eliminated, leaving four under consideration. Representatives from these remaining groups met with Padres officials this week at the team's spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona. The Seidler family, which has controlled the team since announcing a potential sale in November 2024, aims to complete the transaction in the coming months, potentially early in the 2025 season.

Among the reported finalists are three billionaire sports franchise owners: Jose E. Feliciano, co-owner of English Premier League club Chelsea through his private equity firm Clearlake Capital; Dan Friedkin, a San Diego native who owns multiple European soccer teams including Everton in the Premier...