The MLB is on track to record the largest transaction in its history. San Diego Padres announced a deal to sell the franchise to an group in version headed by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, with a valuation of $3.9 billion dollars, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The movement far exceeds the previous mark set in 2020, when New York Mets was acquired for $2.4 billion dollars. The operation ion, still subject to customary closing conditions, also requires official approval from the league at its next meeting scheduled for June.

From the organization, the current owner John Seidler confirmed the progress of the process through a statement. “I am excited that, after u n a very competitive process, Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano become the next majority owners of the Padres,” he said.

The buying group is led by Feliciano, an American businessman of Puerto Rican origin who is also listed as co-owner of Chelsea, while Jones has a career as an artist, entrepreneur,and philanthropist in the United States.

A change amid sports results and sustained growth

The sale occurs in a context of competitive stability for the franchise. The team has reached the postseason in four of the last six seasons, consolidating one of the most consistent periods in its recent history.

At the attendance level, the impact has also been notable. Petco Park has recorded constant capacity, which translated in the second highest attendance in the entire league during the last two years, according to data shared by the club itself.

The sale process began in November, when the Seidler family decided to put the franchise on the market. The decision came three years after the death of Peter Seidler, who had led the ownership group until that time.

In financial terms, the evolution in the value of the team is significant. In 2012, the family acquired from the Padres for $800 million dollars, a figure that now multiplies almost fivefold with the agreement reached.

On the field of play, the organization maintains a competitive performance in the current campaign. Currently, San Diego is located in fifth position in the National League and occupies second place in its division, with a balance of 19 wins and 12 losses.

The operation would mark a new benchmark in MLB, still pending to be formalized in the coming weeks.