The message arrived without warning and represents the most serious ownership development since the death of beloved owner Peter Seidler in 2023, signaling a dramatic shift in direction for the organization that has publicly insisted for the past year that the franchise was not for sale and would not be relocated.
In the letter, Seidler tells fans that the family will undertake the process “with integrity and professionalism” in a manner that honors Peter’s legacy and lifelong devotion to San Diego. He stresses that while the evaluation is happening, the Padres remain fully focused on preparing for the 2026 season and committed to investing every resource into winning a World Series. The message repeatedly expresses gratitude to the fanbase while making it clear that the possibility of a change in ownership is officially on the table.
In the letter, Seidler tells fans that the family will undertake the process “with integrity and professionalism” in a manner that honors Peter’s legacy and lifelong devotion to San Diego. He stresses that while the evaluation is happening, the Padres remain fully focused on preparing for the 2026 season and committed to investing every resource into winning a World Series. The message repeatedly expresses gratitude to the fanbase while making it clear that the possibility of a change in ownership is officially on the table.
The most revealing line of the message comes when Seidler writes that the family is committed to finding “a new steward for the franchise who shares Peter’s vision,” a phrase that strongly suggests the search is aimed at identifying a future owner rather than simply seeking minority partners or financial restructuring. In Major League Baseball’s lexicon, the term “steward” has historically been used to describe full controlling owners, and the letter’s careful language appears to prepare fans for that eventual outcome.
Today’s announcement does not exist in a vacuum. Earlier this year, Peter Seidler’s widow, Sheel Seidler, filed a probate lawsuit in Texas accusing Peter’s brothers - John, Robert, and Matthew Seidler - of breaching fiduciary duties and attempting to position the team for a sale and potential relocation. At the time, Padres executives publicly dismissed the allegations, insisting the franchise was a generational asset that would remain under Seidler family ownership. Tuesday’s letter now appears to confirm that a sale is being actively considered, while the repeated assurances of commitment to San Diego seem designed to counter any reemerging fears that the team might be vulnerable to relocation under a future owner.
The announcement immediately raises questions about what a sale could mean for the team, the fans, and the city. San Diego has already endured the loss of the Chargers and carries a deep sense of sports fragility, making the Padres not only the city’s last major professional franchise but also its most cherished. A sale could have far-reaching implications for roster decisions, long-term spending, stadium operations, and the organization’s overall direction. Franchise transitions in MLB often trigger periods of uncertainty, and it remains unclear whether major baseball operations decisions - including future free-agent spending and extensions - will pause as the process plays out.
There is also the question of value. The Padres have appreciated significantly since the ownership group’s 2012 purchase, and under Peter Seidler’s leadership the team soared into the upper tier of MLB payrolls and relevance, reaching the NLCS in 2022 and energizing the city with high-profile player acquisitions and a vision of championship ambition. Peter’s death in 2023 shifted the balance of leadership, and while John Seidler was approved as control person earlier this year, today’s announcement marks the clearest indication yet that the family may not be positioned to carry Peter’s long-term mission forward.
The emotional weight of the moment is not lost on fans, many of whom saw Peter Seidler as the most beloved owner in Padres history and the driving force behind a once-in-a-generation era of hope. His stated promise to bring a World Series to San Diego became a civic rallying cry, and his investment in both the roster and community earned him universal admiration. The idea of a new owner inheriting that responsibility - and the uncertainty that comes with it - shakes the foundation of what the Padres have come to represent.
The letter closes by thanking fans for their loyalty and describing them as “amazing,” but it also leaves more questions than answers. No timeline was provided, no details about potential interested buyers were shared, and no additional clarity was given about how the evaluation process might affect the organization in the coming months. For now, fans and civic leaders alike are left to absorb the shock of the announcement and brace for a period of significant change. San Diego’s most beloved franchise is entering a new and uncertain chapter, and the future of the Padres - long believed to be securely rooted in the Seidler family - now appears more open than ever.
SanDiegoVille will continue monitoring the developing situation as more information becomes available.
Today’s announcement does not exist in a vacuum. Earlier this year, Peter Seidler’s widow, Sheel Seidler, filed a probate lawsuit in Texas accusing Peter’s brothers - John, Robert, and Matthew Seidler - of breaching fiduciary duties and attempting to position the team for a sale and potential relocation. At the time, Padres executives publicly dismissed the allegations, insisting the franchise was a generational asset that would remain under Seidler family ownership. Tuesday’s letter now appears to confirm that a sale is being actively considered, while the repeated assurances of commitment to San Diego seem designed to counter any reemerging fears that the team might be vulnerable to relocation under a future owner.
The announcement immediately raises questions about what a sale could mean for the team, the fans, and the city. San Diego has already endured the loss of the Chargers and carries a deep sense of sports fragility, making the Padres not only the city’s last major professional franchise but also its most cherished. A sale could have far-reaching implications for roster decisions, long-term spending, stadium operations, and the organization’s overall direction. Franchise transitions in MLB often trigger periods of uncertainty, and it remains unclear whether major baseball operations decisions - including future free-agent spending and extensions - will pause as the process plays out.
There is also the question of value. The Padres have appreciated significantly since the ownership group’s 2012 purchase, and under Peter Seidler’s leadership the team soared into the upper tier of MLB payrolls and relevance, reaching the NLCS in 2022 and energizing the city with high-profile player acquisitions and a vision of championship ambition. Peter’s death in 2023 shifted the balance of leadership, and while John Seidler was approved as control person earlier this year, today’s announcement marks the clearest indication yet that the family may not be positioned to carry Peter’s long-term mission forward.
The emotional weight of the moment is not lost on fans, many of whom saw Peter Seidler as the most beloved owner in Padres history and the driving force behind a once-in-a-generation era of hope. His stated promise to bring a World Series to San Diego became a civic rallying cry, and his investment in both the roster and community earned him universal admiration. The idea of a new owner inheriting that responsibility - and the uncertainty that comes with it - shakes the foundation of what the Padres have come to represent.
The letter closes by thanking fans for their loyalty and describing them as “amazing,” but it also leaves more questions than answers. No timeline was provided, no details about potential interested buyers were shared, and no additional clarity was given about how the evaluation process might affect the organization in the coming months. For now, fans and civic leaders alike are left to absorb the shock of the announcement and brace for a period of significant change. San Diego’s most beloved franchise is entering a new and uncertain chapter, and the future of the Padres - long believed to be securely rooted in the Seidler family - now appears more open than ever.
SanDiegoVille will continue monitoring the developing situation as more information becomes available.
Originally published on November 13, 2025.
