Historic Padres Deal Places Kwanza Jones on Brink of Breaking Major League Baseball Barrier

By Stacy M. Brown

Senior Global Correspondent

If approved by Major League Baseball owners, Kwanza Jones could become the first Black woman in MLB history to hold controlling ownership in a franchise as part of the investor group purchasing the San Diego Padres alongside her husband and business partner, José E. Feliciano.

The distinction matters because MLB ownership structures are often divided among multiple investors, and reports indicate the Jones-Feliciano group would control the franchise even if no single individual owns more than 50 percent of the team outright. The Padres announced that the Seidler family agreed to transfer control of the franchise to the Jones-Feliciano investor group following the 2023 death of longtime owner Peter Seidler.

Kwanza Jones/X Post

The proposed sale, reportedly valued at approximately $3.9 billion, would become the most expensive sale in Major League Baseball history if it is approved by league owners. Under MLB rules, one person is typically designated as the franchise’s “control person,” meaning the individual approved by league owners to oversee the club’s operations and represent ownership before Major League Baseball. Multiple reports state Feliciano is expected to serve in that role if owners approve the deal. Jones, however, would still become part of the controlling ownership group in what would mark a historic breakthrough for Black women in professional baseball ownership.

“The Padres are more than a baseball team; they are a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection, and belonging,” Jones and Feliciano stated in remarks released by the organization. “As life and business partners, and as a family, we are honored to lead this next chapter together.”

Jones’ background that stretches across business, philanthropy, entertainment, law, and advocacy. Born in Los Angeles, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University before receiving a Master of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law and a law degree from Cardozo School of Law.

Jones later taught cross-cultural negotiation at New York University and served as a court-appointed mediator for New York City Civil Court. Through SUPERCHARGED by Kwanza Jones and Innovation Entertainment Group, she built projects centered on empowerment, wellness, and social impact. Jones also established herself in music, earning multiple Billboard dance chart hits, including “Turn It Up” and “Think Again.”

Alongside Feliciano, she co-founded the Jones-Feliciano Initiative, which has committed nearly $500 million toward efforts tied to education, entrepreneurship, equity, and empowerment. The proposed Padres purchase arrives as conversations continue about the lack of Black ownership in professional sports despite the large number of Black athletes who power many leagues. Black controlling ownership remains rare across major American sports leagues, including Major League Baseball.

Meanwhile, John Seidler, the Padres’ current chairman, stated that the organization believes Jones and Feliciano understand both the franchise and the city.

“When I became control person, my goal was to continue building on our recent success in pursuit of a World Series championship for the city of San Diego and our faithful fans,” Seidler stated. “Now, as I pass the baton to Kwanza and José, I do so with full confidence that they share that vision, as well as the Padres’ deep commitment to San Diego.”