Joey and Jesse Buss have joined the ownership group of the San Diego Padres, fulfilling a long-held family aspiration. The brothers are acquiring approximately 5% of the Major League Baseball team, which is now under the controlling ownership of Kwanza Jones and Jose E. Feliciano.
The motive for their investment traces back to their childhood and their late father, Dr. Jerry Buss, who once expressed interest in purchasing the Padres. In October 1989, Jerry Buss indicated he would pursue an ownership stake in the team after then-owner Joan Kroc announced plans to sell.
While Jerry Buss ultimately did not acquire the Padres, with a group led by Tom Werner purchasing the franchise for $75 million in 1990, his sons are now set to hold an ownership role. The Buss brothers grew up in San Diego County, and their father had a home in Encinitas.
"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," Joey Buss stated. "Sports have always been a part of our family’s story, and great organizations have a unique ability to bring people together and create a lasting sense of community."
He added that Padres fans have built a passionate community, and he believes there is a significant opportunity to deepen that connection. "The Padres are on the cusp of something special, and through Buss Sports Capital, we look forward to bringing our experience and perspective to the ownership group and doing our part to build on the strong foundation already in place."
Joey and Jesse Buss are making this investment through Buss Sports Capital, an entity they launched in September 2025. This followed the sale of the majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, a team long associated with the Buss family, to Mark Walter. The news of their Padres investment comes shortly after five of the Buss siblings voted to sell their remaining 17.8% ownership in the Lakers to future majority owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. Kushner and Iger had agreed to purchase the majority ownership stake in the Lakers from Walter for a valuation of $12.5 billion.
Notably, Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ current governor, did not vote in favor of the Lakers sale and is reportedly contesting her siblings' decision through legal channels.