Firm continues to work on record-breaking deals across professional sports

Davis Polk is advising the San Diego Padres and the Seidler family on a definitive agreement, signed earlier today, to transfer control of the Padres to a new ownership group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones.  The transaction is subject to approval by Major League Baseball and customary closing conditions.

Davis Polk has advised on the largest and most significant transactions in the sports industry. The firm has represented clients on several recent record-breaking franchise sales across professional sports, including the largest-ever control sales in MLB, the NBA and the NFL. In addition to the Padres sale, the firm advised Mark Walter on his acquisition of a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at the highest franchise valuation in sports history, Josh Harris and his partners on their acquisition of the Washington Commanders at a record value for an NFL club, and Sterling Equities on the sale of the New York Mets to entities affiliated with Steven A. Cohen. The firm also advised Learfield on its sale to TPG earlier this year.

Founded in 1969 as an expansion franchise, the San Diego Padres have won two National League pennants. The club has participated in Major League Baseball’s postseason in four out of the last six seasons and recorded the second highest home attendance in the League in 2025. The Padres are currently owned by a group led by the family of the late Peter Seidler, who spearheaded the acquisition of the club in 2012.

The Davis Polk corporate and sports team includes partners Jon H. Oram, Brian Wolfe and Michael Senders and associates Ben Deutsch, Samuel Liebmann and Keane Brazda. Partner Jack Orford is providing finance advice. Partner David H. Schnabel and counsel Ziyuan (Constance) Zhang are providing tax advice. Partner Adam Kaminsky is providing executive compensation advice. Members of the Davis Polk team are based in the New York and Washington DC offices.

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