Initial bids are in for the Padres, and a Hall of Fame quarterback has joined the race for the San Diego franchise.
According to The Athletic former Charger Drew Brees has partnered with Vuori CEO Joe Kudla in an attempt to purchase the Padres from John Seidler and the Seidler family.
Brees began his NFL career in San Diego, but kept a home here with his family after his playing career took him to New Orleans. He was recently voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the class of 2026.
Kudla graduated from the University of San Diego before building the Carlsbad based activewear brand. Vuori was valued at $5.5 billion in 2024.
According to multiple reports there are five groups involved in the initial round of bids. Other bidders are believed to be Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob; San Diego native Dan Friedkin who owns Everton and AS Roma; Chelsea owner Jose E. Feliciano and one additional unknown group.
The Padres could fetch between $2.5 and $3 billion. The Mets set a record for Major League Baseball teams when Steve Cohen purchased the franchise for $2.4 billion in 2020.
Seidler – who officially took control of the franchise last year – announced their intent to sell in November.