San Diego Padres Ownership Battle: Widow of Late Owner Files Lawsuit

A legal battle is brewing in San Diego over the ownership of the Padres baseball team. Widow of late owner files lawsuit, claiming that her late husband's business partner is trying to seize control of the team illegally.

The Lawsuit

In a lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court, Susan Werner, the widow of Padres late owner John Moores, alleges that her late husband's business partner, Ron Fowler, is attempting to take control of the team by violating their shareholder's agreement.

According to the lawsuit, John Moores purchased a 10% interest in the Padres in 1994 and gradually increased his ownership stake to 83% by 2012. In 2009, Moores brought on Ron Fowler as a minority partner, giving Fowler a 17% stake in the team.

The lawsuit alleges that the shareholder's agreement between Moores and Fowler contained a "shotgun" provision, which allowed either party to make an offer to buy the other party's shares at a fair market value if one party wanted to sell their stake.

Moores died in 2021, and after his death, Fowler allegedly made an offer to buy Susan Werner's shares for $850 million. Werner claims that this offer was significantly below the fair market value of the team, which she estimated to be $2 billion.

As a result, Werner rejected Fowler's offer and filed a lawsuit, accusing him of breaching their shareholder's agreement and attempting to seize control of the team illegally.

Fowler's Response

In response to the lawsuit, Ron Fowler has denied any wrongdoing and stated that he is acting in the best interests of the Padres organization.

Fowler claims that the "shotgun" provision in the shareholder's agreement expired in 2016 and that he has the right to purchase Susan Werner's shares at a price set by a third-party appraiser.

Fowler has also stated that he has the support of the other Padres minority owners and that he is committed to keeping the team in San Diego.

Different Perspectives

The Padres ownership battle has drawn attention from various stakeholders, including Padres fans, the city of San Diego, and the Major League Baseball (MLB) commissioner, Rob Manfred.

Padres Fans

Padres fans are concerned about the future of the team and want to ensure that it remains in San Diego. Many fans are skeptical of Fowler's intentions and believe that he is primarily interested in making a profit rather than in supporting the team.

City of San Diego

The city of San Diego has a significant interest in the Padres as the team is a major economic driver for the region. The city is concerned that a change in ownership could lead to the team relocating to another city.

MLB Commissioner

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated that the league is monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring that the Padres remain in San Diego.

Conclusion

The Padres ownership battle is a complex legal and business dispute that has the potential to impact the future of the team and the city of San Diego. The outcome of the lawsuit will determine who controls the Padres and what direction the team will take in the years to come.

Broader Implications

The Padres ownership battle highlights the importance of clear and enforceable shareholder agreements, especially for family-owned businesses. It also raises questions about the role of minority owners in controlling the direction of a professional sports team.

The outcome of this case will set a precedent for similar disputes in the future and could impact the way that professional sports teams are owned and operated.

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