Late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler’s brother, Matthew Seidler, has responded to a lawsuit filed by Peter’s widow, Sheel Kamal Seidler, who is seeking ownership of the team. According to Matthew’s representatives, the lawsuit is the reason the Padres were unable to sign Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki, who ultimately signed with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
The response, filed in the Texas Probate Court on Monday, alleges that Sheel’s lawsuit caused a distraction at a crucial time when the team was negotiating with Sasaki, and that it suggested that Matt and his brothers were plotting to relocate the team elsewhere. This, the response claims, affected Sasaki’s decision to choose the Dodgers over the Padres.
Sheel’s representatives have since responded to the allegations, saying that Matthew’s response is thin and fails to address the specific allegations of Matt and Robert Seidler’s breaches of fiduciary duty. The lawsuit alleges that Peter, before his death, wished for Sheel to take control of the team, followed by their children, and that Matt and Robert are trying to erase Peter’s vision and legacy.
The response also claims that Peter never designated Sheel as his successor, and that he said during his life that he wanted his siblings and niece to take control of the team after his death. Fox News Digital has reached out to Sheel for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication.