Rob Manfred Shuts Down San Diego Padres Relocation Rumors Amid Ownership Battle

The San Diego Padres have recently been the center of intense speculation regarding a potential relocation following a legal battle within the Seidler family. However, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has firmly dismissed these rumors, emphasizing that the Padres are staying put.

Legal Dispute Sparks Relocation Concerns

After the passing of Peter Seidler, his widow, Sheel Seidler, filed a lawsuit against his brothers, John and Matt Seidler, over control of the San Diego Padres. The lawsuit alleges that Matt Seidler’s efforts to install his brother John as the control person of the franchise could be part of a broader strategy to sell and relocate the team.

“Indeed, Matt’s efforts to promote his brother John as Control Person and to block Sheel may well be part of his efforts to sell, and perhaps relocate, the team over Sheel’s strident objection,” the lawsuit claims.

MLB’s Official Response

Amid growing concerns, Rob Manfred has made it clear that Major League Baseball (MLB) has no intentions of allowing the Padres to relocate.

“There has not been a single word or whisper of relocation in the context of the San Diego Padres. San Diego is a great market with a great facility, not a realistic concern,” Manfred stated.

Seidler Family Ownership Dispute Continues

The situation remains complex as MLB owners have unanimously approved John Seidler as the new control person of the Padres. However, his official appointment hinges on him assuming the role of trustee for the Seidler Trust, a process that could take up to 30 days.

“We approved John Seidler to be the control person of the San Diego Padres once he becomes the trustee of the Seidler Trust,” said Manfred. “We’re looking forward to continued stewardship of the Padres by a member of the Seidler family, that is really non-controversial.”

What’s Next for the Padres?

Sheel Seidler continues to challenge John Seidler’s appointment, demanding that a neutral third party manage the trust. Legal experts predict this case could drag on for months or even years before a final decision is reached.

Despite the ongoing legal dispute, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has reiterated that this is an internal family matter and does not affect the team’s future location.

“We have an estate plan, a succession plan that Peter Seidler filed, which clearly outlines his intentions. We followed the process laid out in that plan, and the trustee appointed a successor control person accordingly,” Manfred concluded.

Final Thoughts

For now, San Diego Padres fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their beloved team is not going anywhere. However, the ownership battle remains unresolved, and it will be interesting to see how this legal fight impacts the franchise moving forward.