A lawsuit filed today by Sheel Seidler, the widow of Peter Seidler, indicates that her late husband’s brothers are attempting to force her out of control of the San Diego Padres.  

The San Diego Padres just cannot get out of their own way. Drama just seems to follow the franchise.

Sheel Seidler, widow of late Padres owner Peter Seidler, is taking legal action to take control of the team.

According to her lawsuit filed in Texas, Seidler’s two brothers, Bob and Matt Seidler, are a significant issue. Sheel Seidler claims the two brothers breached their duties as trustees of the Seidler Trust that controls the Padres. She claims the duo is attempting to gain full control of the team by acquiring trust assets at “far-below-market prices.”

Before his death in November of 2023, Seidler spoke about his control of the team going to his wife and his children. Sheel Seidler claims the brothers are falsely trying to take over the team’s operations. Peter Seidler made it clear on his deathbed that his family would retain control of the team—his immediate family, including his children.

The 91-page lawsuit against the Seidler brothers is troubling and the latest in drama for the San Diego Padres.

The report indicates racism, in which Bob Seidler’s wife Alecia communicated with Sheel Seidler in a disrespectful way. She emailed Sheel Seidler and told her the family would never work for her. In an email dated October 15, 2024, Alecia Seidler told Sheel that she lacked the experience or financial acumen to run the team. She also reportedly wrote, “Do you think this family would work for your purple ass? You are delusional.”

The Padres’ front office has yet to comment, but this is very troubling.

After original publication of this piece, a statement was produced for EVT by a spokesman for the Peter Seidler Trust:

“The complaint filed by Sheel Seidler, the widow of Peter Seidler, is entirely without merit. Peter had a clear estate plan. The plan specifically named three of his nine siblings, with whom he had worked closely for many decades, as successor trustees of his trust, and Peter himself prohibited Sheel from ever serving as trustee. The trustee is exclusively responsible for designating the San Diego Padres’ next Control Person. In 2020, in connection with Peter’s appointment as Control Person, Sheel agreed in a sworn document that she had no right to be or to designate the Control Person and that she would not interfere with the designated Control Person. She also stated in May 2024 that John Seidler, Peter’s eldest brother, would be the best Control Person for the Padres. The Padres have already filed an application to Major League Baseball to appoint John.”

“A lifelong baseball fan, seasoned business executive, and current minority owner, John has the right experience and shares Peter’s vision for the Padres: ensure there is a consistently competitive team on the field and a best-in-class fan experience, with the goal of bringing championship-caliber baseball to San Diego. Planning for the 2025 season is well underway, and we look forward to pursuing the franchise’s first World Series title.”

This quote comes from Kate Thompson, the managing director.

There are also reports from Sheel Seidler that Matt promoted his brother John as the control person in an attempt to sell the team and relocate them. This is huge news and the first we have heard about the Padres possibly leaving San Diego. It remains to be seen if there is any truth to this accusation.

A lot of things would need to take place before the Padres left San Diego. This is alarming news, but there is nothing to panic about quite yet.

Sheel Seidler is of Indian descent, and the Seidler family seems to have major issues with her running the club that she helped form with her late husband. The lawsuit claims that the brothers have informed team employees that Sheel Seidler is not an owner and shouldn’t be interacting with players in any capacity. She is being phased out.

The lawsuit filed on Monday was viewed as a “last resort” by Sheel Seidler. In a letter to the fans on X, she apologized for taking this into public but hoped that a fast resolution could be made and the two sides could move forward together.

At this point, this looks like a messy situation, and no immediate resolution is in sight.

In the coming days and weeks, we will surely hear more about this lawsuit and the details involved.

For now, the Padres will continue with business as usual. The lawsuit is against the Sedieler brothers and not necessarily against the Padres club itself. However, the latest claims from their owner about the franchise and the Seidler brothers cannot be ignored. It is still very troubling.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.