3 hours ago - Sports

Padres close to being sold for a record amount

Pete Gannon

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Luis Campusano #12 celebrates with Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres after defeating the Seattle Mariners 5-2 at Petco Park on April 16, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) — Big money ball. Photo: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

The San Diego Padres are reportedly nearing a sale.

Why it matters: They're still chasing their first World Series — but could sooner claim a different distinction: the highest valuation ever for an MLB team sale.

Zoom in: The deal being discussed with the prospective buyers, private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones, values the Padres at about $3.9 billion, WSJ reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

That would top the $2.4 billion the Mets fetched in their 2020 sale to hedge-fund billionaire Steve Cohen.

Between the lines: The sale process drew "several bids" above $3.5 billion, per WSJ.

Yes, but: The Yankees and Dodgers remain baseball's most valuable teams, at $9 billion and $8 billion, respectively, per CNBC's 2026 estimates.

At $3.9 billion, the Padres would rank fifth in MLB — behind the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs and Red Sox.

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Padres close to being sold for a record amount

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