The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in San Diego, California, United States. They compete in the National League (NL) West Division and play their home games at Petco Park in downtown San Diego. The Padres have a passionate fan base and a history dating back to their founding as an expansion team in 1969. As of 2025–2026, the franchise is valued at around $1.8–$2 billion.
Over the years, the Padres have reached the postseason multiple times but are still chasing their first World Series championship.
Ownership Status of the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are currently owned by a family trust associated with the late Peter Seidler, and the control person of the franchise is his brother, John Seidler. Ownership is not held by a single individual outright but rather through a combination of trust arrangements and family stakes.
After Peter Seidler’s death in November 2023, the ownership passed to his estate and associated trust. Major League Baseball (MLB) owners approved John Seidler as the team’s control person and chairman in early 2025.
Current Ownership Structure
| Owner / Entity | Stake / Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Seidler Estate / Trust | ~24%* | Majority beneficial owner through a marital trust benefiting his widow and children. |
| Other Seidler Family Members | ~20%* | Extended family ownership and stake in the franchise. |
| John Seidler | Control Person & Chairman | Approved by MLB owners to act as principal leader of the club. |
*Exact ownership percentages are approximated based on available reports and filings.
Although formal MLB ownership filings are not as publicly detailed as with publicly traded companies, the Seidler family trust remains the controlling ownership group.
Key Ownership Highlights
Peter Seidler (Late Owner)
- Peter Seidler was an American businessman and private equity executive who became the chairman and principal stakeholder of the Padres after purchasing part of the team in 2012 and later becoming the club’s control person in 2020.
- Under his leadership, the Padres significantly increased payroll and pursued star talent, resulting in some of the most competitive seasons in franchise history.
- Seidler passed away on November 14, 2023, after which ownership passed into a family trust.
John Seidler (Current Control Person and Chairman)
- John Seidler, Peter’s older brother, was named the team’s control person and chairman and was approved by MLB owners in February 2025.
- He oversees the Padres’ baseball and business operations and represents the franchise in MLB governance.
John Seidler Net Worth
John Seidler’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, as he does not appear on major billionaire rankings and does not control the Padres as a sole owner. However, based on his family wealth, long-standing business interests, and significant stake in the San Diego Padres, his net worth is estimated to be in the high hundreds of millions of dollars, potentially approaching or exceeding $1 billion. John Seidler comes from the prominent Seidler family, whose fortune is closely tied to private equity investments, most notably through the Carlyle Group, where the late Peter Seidler built substantial wealth.
As the Padres’ chairman and MLB-approved control person, John does not personally own the entire franchise but oversees an organization valued at around $1.8–$2 billion, reinforcing his status as a high-net-worth sports executive rather than a publicly ranked billionaire.
Family Trust and Ownership Dispute
- Following Peter’s death, there has been a legal dispute within the Seidler family over control and ownership authority. His widow, Sheel Seidler, filed a lawsuit challenging the actions of her brothers-in-law and the structure of control of the franchise.
- Reports indicate the Padres ownership is held through the Peter Seidler Marital Trust, which benefits Sheel and their children, with other family members holding minority stakes.
Recent Developments in Ownership
- In November 2025, the Seidler family publicly announced that they are exploring “strategic options” for the Padres, including the possibility of selling part or all of the franchise.
- This announcement reflects ongoing discussions among the family and could potentially lead to new ownership in the future, though no sale has been finalized.
- MLB remains committed to keeping the franchise in San Diego and ensuring any transition aligns with the team’s competitive and community goals.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the San Diego Padres?
The Padres are owned by the family trust of the late Peter Seidler, with his brother John Seidler serving as the team’s chairman and control person.
2. Is the San Diego Padres a privately owned team?
Yes. Unlike publicly traded companies, the Padres are privately owned by the Seidler family trust and associated stakeholders rather than public shareholders.
3. Did Peter Seidler own the Padres?
Yes. Peter Seidler was the primary owner and chairman until his death in November 2023, after which ownership passed to his estate and family trust.
4. Could the Padres be sold?
Yes. The Seidler family announced in late 2025 that they are exploring strategic options — including a potential sale of the team — but no sale has been completed yet.