The Buss Sports Capital investment firm, owned by Jesse and Joey Buss, the two youngest sons of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss, has acquired a 5% stake in the San Diego Padres. The purchase marks their entry into the Padres’ ownership group, which is led by controlling owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones.
The deal was announced in a joint statement from the Padres and Buss Sports Capital, though neither party disclosed financial terms. Joey Buss, 41, emphasized the brothers’ long-standing connection to the Padres, stating in the statement: “We are honored to join Kwanza and José and have the opportunity to contribute to the future of a team that Jesse and I have loved since we were kids growing up in San Diego.”
The Buss brothers’ investment comes as Feliciano and Jones’ ownership group takes a majority stake in the franchise. The Padres’ ownership group has publicly expressed ambitions to build a competitive team capable of winning a World Series, positioning themselves as rivals to the nearby Los Angeles Dodgers.
Background and Context
Jesse and Joey Buss previously worked in the family business, assisting with operations for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their involvement with the Lakers concluded in November 2023, following the family’s sale of the team’s controlling stake to Mark Walter, owner of the Dodgers, in a $10 billion transaction. The Buss family retained roles with the Lakers for five years post-sale, but all siblings except Jeanie Buss—the team’s governor—were subsequently let go.
The Buss brothers’ decision to invest in the Padres, rather than the Dodgers, reflects their stated lifelong allegiance to San Diego’s team. Joey Buss reiterated this sentiment in the statement, noting the Padres’ passionate fanbase and the organization’s potential for growth.
The Padres’ ownership group, led by Feliciano and Jones, has outlined plans to strengthen the team’s competitiveness, including investments in player development and infrastructure. The addition of Buss Sports Capital brings further financial and operational expertise to the franchise, though the specific contributions of the Buss brothers remain unspecified at this time.