Former Lakers Owners Invest in San Diego Padres

Recently, ownership changes have reshaped the Los Angeles Lakers. However, some former owners are not stepping away from the sports industry. Joey and Jesse Buss, children of Jerry Buss, are investing in a Major League Baseball team, but not the one you might assume.

Instead of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they are buying into the San Diego Padres, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Through their investment firm, Buss Sports Capital, they are acquiring approximately 5% of the Padres. This occurs as Kwanza Jones and Jose E. Feliciano’s ownership group secures a majority stake in the team.

This investment comes after the Buss family sold their majority stake in the Lakers last year. Initially sold to Dodgers owner Mark Walter, the Lakers were then sold again to former Disney CEO Robert Iger and Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. Given these connections, the Dodgers might have seemed a logical choice; however, Joey Buss explains otherwise.

“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 childhood in San Diego,” Joey Buss stated. He stressed the importance of sports in fostering community and expressed their intention to deepen the connection between Padres fans and the team.

Jesse Buss added that their background with the Lakers would be an asset to the Padres. “Our experience in professional basketball operations taught us what is needed for a championship organization,” he said. They aim to apply these principles to elevate the Padres, focusing on areas such as talent evaluation, roster construction, and organizational planning.

Their efforts in the Padres will compete directly with Walter’s Dodgers, who lead the National League West. The Padres, currently second, are poised to leverage their new backing to aim higher.