Major League Baseball on Monday unanimously approved a new Padres ownership group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones.
The couple will be introduced as principal owners, with Feliciano as the control person, at a news conference at Petco Park on Aug. 24.
The vote taken by MLB’s other 29 owners went as expected following news in May that the Feliciano/Jones-led group would purchase a controlling interest in the club from the Seidler family in a deal that valued the franchise at a record $3.9 billion.
The new ownership group will include some members of the Seidler family and other current minority owners. Feliciano and Jones will hold a stake of around 45%.
Monday’s vote was seen as a mere formality. Feliciano and Jones had been vetted and their group’s financing was approved by a small committee of owners on Aug. 4.
The closing of the sale and ownership transition is expected to be completed in the coming days.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement thanking the Seidler family for their stewardship of the club, noting that they “energized one of baseball’s most passionate fanbases, and strengthened the club’s role as a cornerstone of the San Diego community.”
Manfred said that Feliciano and Jones “understand the unique place the Padres hold in San Diego and the powerful bond between the club and its fans. We look forward to their leadership of the Padres and to working with them to build on the Club’s strong foundation in a market that is so important to Major League Baseball.”
This story will be updated.