Puerto Rican Billionaire José E. Feliciano Takes Control of San Diego Padres in Record $3.9 Billion Deal

Puertorican Billionaire Jose E. Feliciano buys Padres for $3.9 billion.

Major League Baseball has a new Latino power player.

Puerto Rico-born billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife and business partner, Kwanza Jones, have officially taken control of the San Diego Padres, completing a blockbuster transaction valuing the franchise at approximately $3.9 billion — an MLB record. The deal was unanimously approved by MLB owners on August 17, with the couple formally introduced at Petco Park on August 24.

Feliciano, 53, who was born in Puerto Rico and co-founded private-equity powerhouse Clearlake Capital, becomes only the second Latino principal owner in Major League Baseball, joining Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno. Feliciano will serve as the Padres’ designated control person.

The Puerto Rican businessman made his heritage part of his introduction, choosing No. 21 for his Padres jersey in tribute to baseball icon Roberto Clemente.

Feliciano and Jones inherit a franchise still chasing its first World Series championship — and made their intentions clear immediately: they want to win.

For Latinos in professional sports ownership, the Padres deal represents a rare and significant seat at one of baseball’s most exclusive tables.