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The San Diego Padres’ announcement that the franchise is exploring a potential sale prompted an unexpected side story on Thursday when Sheel Seidler, the widow of late team owner Peter Seidler, publicly corrected part of the media coverage surrounding her husband’s death.
The Padres confirmed that the Seidler family has begun a formal process to evaluate "future options," including the possibility of selling the team.
In a statement, chairman John Seidler said the review would be conducted in a way that "honors Peter’s legacy and love for the Padres" while the organization continues preparations for the 2026 season.
Soon after the news broke, Sheel Seidler responded to a USA TODAY post on X.
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"Peter did not die from cancer. He was in remission. His death was caused by an unforeseen infection. Please correct your reporting," she wrote.
Her correction quickly drew attention online, where fans began directing criticism toward longtime MLB columnist Bob Nightengale.
"Perfect example of yellow journalism from @BNightengale," one fan wrote.
"Not surprised. Trash reporters," another fan wrote.
"Pay to read his lies lol," a fan tweeted.
"Of course it was @BNightengale with fake news. 🤡🤡🤡🤡" another fan said.
"@BNightengale get your facts right," one fan commented.
"Bob Nightengale is a clown," a fan wrote.
Padres face major financial questions as Peter Seidler's family evaluates long-term options
The Padres’ decision to review potential ownership changes comes at a time when the organization is navigating several significant financial challenges.
Recent league estimates place the franchise’s value between $1.8 billion and $1.95 billion, but sources familiar with the team’s situation say the club is carrying roughly $300 million in debt.
The loss of its long-time local television contract has also created a notable revenue gap heading into 2026, prompting questions around what level of payroll the team can sustain going forward.
The Padres remain committed publicly to their current core, but the club also has substantial long-term contracts on the books, including deals for Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts that limit the front office’s ability to reshape the roster without significant maneuvering.
If the Seidler family moves ahead with a sale, prospective buyers will be weighing both the team’s market potential and its near-term liabilities.
Until that process becomes clearer, the Padres are probably going to take a more conservative approach to baseball operations, leaving possible payroll changes or roster moves along with other strategic changes on the table as the offseason develops.
