Padres expected to break Mets' record with $3-plus billion franchise sale

TL;DR

The San Diego Padres are anticipated to sell for over $3 billion, potentially breaking the New York Mets' record of $2.4 billion for the largest franchise sale in MLB history. This sale raises questions about the team's future and ownership direction.

Padres expected to break Mets' record with $3-plus billion franchise sale originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There is always a ton of attention on professional sports teams when it comes to a new owner coming in. Sometimes, it can lead to a renewed desire to win, and other times, it's an uncertain future.

For the San Diego Padres, a sale of the franchise looks to be on the horizon. But, there are plenty of question marks about what the team will sell for, and to whom.

However, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Padres are reportedly poised to break a record with this sale, as the New York Mets $2.4 billion record looks not likely to stand as the largest sale in MLB history.

Padres expected to sell for over $3 billion

"... all eyes are on the San Diego Padres' sale," Nightengale writes. "The Padres, who are actually in debt, are expected to sell in excess of a record $3 billion, topping the previous record of $2.4 billion by Mets owner Steve Cohen."

If the Padres end up being sold for over $3 billion, as Nightengale predicts, there would be a massive evaluation shift in Major League Baseball when it comes to franchise ownership.

And yet, that possible new record-breaking franchise sale might be, as Nightengale called it, a "steal" for whoever ends up buying the team.

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The reason is clear: in 2028, the national media rights will expire, leading to a new deal and a lot more money invested into Major League Baseball.

Add in a potential salary cap in the looming Collective Bargaining Agreement, and a $3 billion deal for the Padres might look like a great deal in the near future.

But, at least for now, the Padres look poised to break the $2.4 billion record sale the Mets made a few years ago when Cohen bought the team.