Final bids in Padresโ sale process expected in April; 4 groups in running: Sources
PEORIA, Ariz. โ A second and final round of bids to purchase the San Diego Padres is expected to come in early to mid-April, with four groups of potential buyers still in the running, multiple people briefed on the process told The Athletic. Those bids are projected for the second week of the month, though some negotiation could continue afterward.
Five groups submitted first-round bids by Feb. 25 for a franchise that could fetch a price of around $3 billion. The record for an MLB club was set in 2020, when Steve Cohen purchased the New York Mets for $2.42 billion.
Three billionaires โ Josรฉ E. Feliciano, Dan Friedkin and Joe Lacob โ were previously reported to be in serious pursuit of the Padres. While the identities of other initial bidders remain unclear, the process appears to be entering an advanced stage. The final four groups met this week with Padres management at the clubโs spring training facility in Arizona, according to people familiar with the talks. Each group has been informed it is one of four still in play, one person said.
The Padres did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported that the final four groups visited the Peoria Sports Complex this week. The Athletic reported last month that a duo with San Diego ties โ Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and Vuori founder Joe Kudla โ had expressed interest in partnering with potential ownership groups.
In 2022, Felicianoโs Santa Monica, Calif.-based private equity firm and Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly led a consortium that acquired the English Premier Leagueโs Chelsea Football Club for $5.3 billion.
Friedkin, who was born in San Diego and is based in Houston, owns the EPLโs Everton, the Italian Serie Aโs AS Roma and the French Championnat National 2โs AS Cannes. He unsuccessfully attempted to purchase the Boston Celtics last year and later established a company, Pursuit Sports, to oversee his European soccer clubs and explore potential expansion into major North American sports leagues.
Lacob, who bought the NBAโs Golden State Warriors in 2010 with current Dodgers part-owner Peter Guber, has pursued MLB ownership across multiple decades. His past targets include the Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and Athletics.
