Albert Pujols Pursued Ownership of MLB Franchises

The retired baseball legend sought to acquire teams following his 2022 career conclusion.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a generic baseball player in a stadium at night, representing the transition to team ownership. — Retired MLB legend Albert Pujols, currently a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred, has led multiple investment groups in bids to purchase professional baseball franchises. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is the influx of multi-billion dollar private ownership groups good for the future of professional sports?

Albert Pujols led an investment group in bids to purchase multiple Major League Baseball franchises over the last eight months. His attempts to secure ownership follow his retirement from professional play in 2022.

Why it matters

Pujols is actively transitioning from a celebrated playing career toward a leadership role in professional sports. He remains involved in the game as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

Investment groups led by Stan Kroenke and Jose E. Feliciano successfully acquired the Angels for $4 billion and the Padres for $3.9 billion, respectively. These valuations represent significant benchmarks for high-profile professional sports franchises.

The players

Albert Pujols

A retired professional baseball player who currently serves as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

Rob Manfred

He serves as the Commissioner of Major League Baseball and oversees league-wide policy and team ownership approval.

Stan Kroenke

He is a prominent billionaire sports owner who reached an agreement to purchase the Los Angeles Angels.

Jose E. Feliciano

A private equity investor who successfully completed the purchase of the San Diego Padres.

The details

Despite unsuccessful bids for multiple teams, Pujols remains committed to pursuing a future ownership or managerial role within professional baseball. He currently serves in an advisory capacity for the league.

Albert Pujols retired from professional baseball in 2022.
Major League Baseball implemented a ban on defensive shifts in 2023.
Jose E. Feliciano's purchase of the Padres was approved in August 2026.
Stan Kroenke agreed to purchase the Angels in September 2026.

Season Trajectory

The move by legendary players to acquire franchises reflects a structural transition where stars transition to the boardroom. This shift mirrors the league's evolution alongside recent changes such as the 2023 Major League Baseball shift ban.

Pujols' transition into potential ownership signals a changing front-office landscape for major teams. Fans should note that these high-dollar acquisitions by figures like Kroenke and Feliciano often lead to significant shifts in team payroll and management strategies.

The takeaway

Pujols continues to leverage his deep experience in the game to pivot toward high-level leadership positions. Former players aiming for ownership must navigate increasingly high capital requirements as team valuations continue to reach multi-billion dollar levels.