SAN DIEGO — The widow of the late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler has initiated legal action against her brothers-in-law, Matthew and Robert Seidler, disputing their claims over the ownership of the team. Sheel Seidler’s lawsuit is aimed at preventing another brother, John, from assuming control of the franchise, asserting that Peter intended for her to be his successor following his passing at the age of 63 on November 14, 2023.
In a letter shared on the website for the Peter Seidler Trust, Matthew Seidler refuted the allegations, describing them as completely unfounded. He stated, “Sheel’s claims against Bob and me are entirely untrue, and we will vigorously defend ourselves against them. The false accusations in her complaint will not distract the Padres organization from continuing its great momentum on and off the field in San Diego.” This legal battle arises amid the Padres’ pursuit of Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki.
Sheel Seidler has filed her lawsuit in the Travis County Probate Court in Austin, Texas. She is alleging breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, wrongful conversion, and severe self-dealing against Matthew, who took on the role of executor of Peter Seidler’s estate last year, and Robert, who held that position prior to him. In his letter, Matthew explained that Peter had entrusted the designation of the next control person for the franchise to the trustee of his trust, rather than specifying one individual. He outlined that Peter had appointed three siblings to serve as potential successor trustees in a specific order: first Robert, then Matthew, and finally their oldest brother, John.
He further elaborated that Robert stepped down as trustee in May 2024 due to personal health issues within his family, which Sheel has allegedly tried to use to her advantage. Subsequently, Matthew assumed the role of trustee. On December 21, it was announced that John is set to take over as the control person for the team, although this change is still awaiting approval from Major League Baseball (MLB) owners. The Seidler brothers are the grandsons of the late Walter O’Malley, who once owned the Dodgers.
Matthew addressed Sheel’s disappointment regarding Peter’s choice not to designate her as trustee or as the control person for the Padres, suggesting that had this been Peter’s intention, it would have been made explicitly clear in the legal documents governing the trust. He underscored that John possesses a rich history in baseball and extensive business experience, asserting, “I believe his business experience, proven leadership qualities, and love for the Padres equip him to guide the team as Peter’s successor.” He expressed confidence that John’s appointment would be positively received by the other Padres owners and would receive swift approval from MLB and the other franchise owners.
Matthew also confronted allegations in Sheel’s lawsuit suggesting that his push to promote John as the control person and obstruct Sheel’s influence might be tied to plans to relocate the franchise. “This is completely false. It is also laughable,” Matthew stated, clarifying, “To clarify the record without ambiguity, relocating the Padres from San Diego has never been discussed or contemplated.” In response, Sheel’s legal team pushed back against Matthew’s claims, asserting that he mischaracterized Peter’s wishes regarding control of the team. They also mentioned an MLB form that Sheel signed, which purportedly acknowledges that MLB approval is mandatory for anyone to become a control person of the team.
