The widow of the late owner of the San Diego Padres, Peter Seidler, known as Sheel Seidler, has initiated legal proceedings against her brothers-in-law, Matthew and Robert, in a bid to prevent another sibling, John, from assuming control of the baseball franchise. This lawsuit arrives amidst the Padres’ pursuit of Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, adding a layer of urgency to the situation.
Sheel filed the lawsuit in Travis County Probate Court in Austin, Texas, naming Matthew as the executor of Peter’s estate and Robert as the former executor. She alleges several breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, and acts of self-dealing against them. The document also claims that Robert’s wife, Alecia, directed multiple racist and hateful remarks toward Sheel, invoking her Indian heritage.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants’ maneuvers to take over the Padres were motivated by a desire to exclude Sheel, describing her as an outsider unworthy of involvement in what they perceived as a family legacy. Sheel is seeking a court order that would prohibit Matthew from acting on behalf of the Seidler family trusts and that would void any actions to appoint a control person for the Padres other than herself.
Sheel expressed in a statement that filing this lawsuit was a last resort but deemed it necessary to safeguard the principles and vision that she and her late husband had for the team. The Peter Seidler Trust, however, has dismissed the allegations, stating that Peter had laid out a clear estate plan naming three of his siblings as successor trustees, evidently excluding Sheel from that role.
Peter Seidler, who had familial ties to the late Dodger owner Walter O’Malley, was involved in the group that acquired the Padres in 2012. He stepped into the control position of the franchise in November 2020 and passed away shortly before his 64th birthday on November 14, 2023. Following his death, a business associate, Eric Kutsenda, was appointed as the interim control person for the team.
On December 21, the Padres organization announced John’s impending assumption of the control position, pending approval from Major League Baseball owners. The lawsuit suggests that Matthew has exerted pressure on Sheel to remain silent about her opposition to John’s nomination.
In light of their struggle, the Padres have scaled back their payroll significantly from a record-high of $257 million in 2023 to a projected $166 million for the 2024 season. Reports of this financial cutback, alongside a perceived retreat from the pursuit of a World Series title, were described in the petition as a major disappointment to Peter Seidler, indicating a shift in the franchise’s ambitions.
The lawsuit includes a handwritten note from Peter indicating his wishes regarding future control of the team, listing Sheel and their children as his first choice. Despite this, the petition claims that Matthew has communicated to Sheel that she lacks the necessary skills to fulfill the role of control person. Instead, the lawsuit argues, efforts are being made to elevate their brother John to this position, thereby sidelining Sheel and her stake in the team.
The trust’s statement reinforces the claim that only the designated trustee has the authority to name the Padres’ control person, pointing out that Sheel previously agreed, under oath, to refrain from contesting who would fill that role.
Sheel also accused Matthew and Robert of attempting to sell off interests in Seidler Kutsenda Management Co. at undervalued prices, which they later rescinded when the actions became apparent. The petition highlights a sense of exclusion imposed by Alecia, who allegedly asserted that Sheel was not deemed worthy to partake in the family dynamics.
Furthermore, the legal document indicates that Robert and Matthew have made it clear that Sheel and her children are unwelcome in the owners’ box at Petco Park, the stadium where the Padres play. Major League Baseball has opted not to comment on the ongoing legal battles surrounding the franchise.
