New San Diego Padres Ownership Group Led by Latino and Black Leaders Heralds Historic Milestone

San Diego, CA, August 21, 2026 —

The San Diego Padres have officially transitioned to new ownership, a development met with significant enthusiasm and pride within the city’s Puerto Rican and Black communities. The $3.9 billion sale of the Major League Baseball franchise has been approved, with a new ownership group headed by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife, entrepreneur-philanthropist Kwanza Jones, taking the helm.

This ownership change represents a landmark moment for diversity in professional sports and American business. José E. Feliciano, of Puerto Rican heritage, is set to become the first Puerto Rican owner of an MLB team. His wife, Kwanza Jones, who is Black, is making history as the first Black person to hold a majority stake in a Major League Baseball team.

Leaders within San Diego’s Puerto Rican and Black communities have underscored the significance of this occasion. They view the new ownership as a historic milestone that not only reflects a growing commitment to diversity in leadership roles but also serves as a powerful inspiration for future generations of Latinos and Black individuals in both sports and the broader business landscape.

The sale’s approval marks the culmination of negotiations and brings a new era for the San Diego Padres organization under leaders who are breaking significant barriers.

Story summarized from the original created by Jacob Aere on www.kpbs.org, see more information here.

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