The San Diego Padres welcomed their new owners to the city in a press conference held at Petco Park. Technically, José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones have been the owners since Friday afternoon, but this was the first time we have seen them publicly as the owners.
Padres broadcaster Don Orsillo emceed for the event and Padres CEO Erik Greupner introduced the married couple and business partners to San Diego media and fans.
Carried by livestream and available on the Padres YouTube channel, the pair presented
themselves very much as a united front in their desire to win and to be an integral part of the organization and the city, going forward.
They plan on starting their tenure with a desire to listen and learn about the organization and the city. They both spoke about their desire to win a championship but they also showed a passion for community and philanthropy as part of their stewardship of the team.
Stewardship was a word used often in their remarks. They see themselves as stewards of the organization and are accountable to the fans as they go into the future.
Feliciano started by saying they intend to be “stewards of Peter’s legacy” as he stated a desire to honor former owner Peter Seidler and what he accomplished. He said what every fan should be happy to hear. “We are nothing without the fans,” was his exact statement.
Kwanza Jones made her first statement with so much energy and enthusiasm she almost bounced out of her chair. After saying the word “we” she then was effusive in her joy that she could finally say that word as a member of the Padres family.
And speaking of family, they both emphasized that they view their ownership as part of their family and they are now part of the Padres family.
“We are all in,” was also a highlight of Jones’ first statement. Followed by a declaration that they can’t promise to win it all. She immediately followed with “We gonna win!,” which drew a grin from her husband sitting beside her.
Feliciano stated their joint desire to “Dream big — do the impossible,” which is reminiscent of many of the statements made by late owner Peter Seidler. When asked about what motivated them to be one of the groups interested in purchasing the team, Feliciano responded by explaining that they recognized the uniqueness of the Padres and said, “right bid, right place, right time,” as part of his response.
Both Jones and Feliciano talked about their desire to appeal to the diverse community of San Diego, specifically mentioning Baja, the Sycuan Nation, Hispanic, Asian, and African American communities within the city and surrounding areas.
They also emphasized their competitive natures, with Jones referencing her past as a Division I athlete at Princeton. Feliciano spoke about the Padres being underestimated in the past and that they should not be underestimated in their ownership. “We want to win.”
While discussing their desire to be invested in the community and using their philanthropic skills to add to the goals of the Padres Foundation, they emphasized listening first and then moving to continue and expand the work that Peter Seidler began.
Jones then solicited the help of all the people in the room, as well as all those listening and watching, to help them decide where to buy a home in San Diego. With a primary home in Los Angeles, the new owners seem to have a good handle on the feelings of San Diegans about L.A. and the team originating from there. Feliciano alluded to his previous fandom of said team at the beginning of his initial statement. He emphasized he is all in on the Padres now.
The final question of the press conference was directed at Greupner, requesting his input about what stands out about Feliciano and Jones as the new owners. His response — “I can’t think of a better fit for where we need to go as an organization.”
Their passion and enthusiasm can’t be questioned after what we saw today. Their intelligence and intention is also clearly present in their statements.
The Padres organization is beginning a new era with a new energy. The long period of uncertainty and silence is finally over. The new ownership faces of the franchise couldn’t have made a better first impression.
