Sheel Seidler has filed a lawsuit against her brothers-in-law, Matthew and Robert Seidler, in an attempt to prevent another brother, John, from taking control of the San Diego Padres following the death of her husband, Peter Seidler. Peter, the late owner of the Padres, passed away at the age of 63 on November 14, 2023.
Matthew Seidler, one of the defendants in the lawsuit, has vehemently denied the allegations made by Sheel, stating that her claims are entirely untrue. He expressed his commitment to vigorously defend himself and his brother against the accusations, emphasizing that the false claims will not deter the Padres organization from its continued success both on and off the field in San Diego.
The legal dispute arises at a crucial time for the Padres, as they are actively involved in recruiting Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki.
In her petition filed in Travis County Probate Court in Austin, Texas, Sheel Seidler accused Matthew and Robert Seidler of fiduciary breaches of trust, fraud, conversion, and self-dealing. Matthew clarified that Peter Seidler had entrusted the decision of the team's control person to the trustee of his trust, with a specific order of succession among his siblings.
Despite Sheel's claims that Peter intended for her to succeed him as the control person, the Padres announced that John Seidler, the oldest brother, would assume the role. The Seidler brothers, descendants of former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley, are awaiting approval from Major League Baseball owners for this decision.
Matthew Seidler refuted the allegation that promoting John as the control person was linked to any plans to sell or relocate the team, emphasizing that such claims were baseless and unfounded. He asserted that relocating the Padres from San Diego has never been a consideration.
Matthew expressed confidence in John's qualifications for the role, citing his extensive experience in baseball and successful business ventures as key factors in his suitability to lead the team as Peter's successor. He anticipated that John's appointment would be well-received by the Padres owners and swiftly approved by MLB and other club owners.
The legal battle between Sheel Seidler and her brothers-in-law adds a layer of complexity to the future leadership of the San Diego Padres, a situation that will likely continue to unfold in the coming days.
