Joe Lacob has never been one to shy away from bold moves. The Golden State Warriors owner, who helped turn the franchise into a modern NBA dynasty, is now reportedly eyeing a new challenge - Major League Baseball. Specifically, the San Diego Padres.
That interest has sparked a wave of speculation, and not just about baseball. The bigger question looming: could Lacob actually part ways with the Warriors?
Let’s be clear - Lacob currently holds the reins of the NBA’s most valuable franchise. Under his ownership, the Warriors have captured four titles, built a state-of-the-art arena in Chase Center, and redefined what a winning culture looks like in the league. But according to commentary from The Bill Simmons Podcast, there’s a growing sense that Lacob might be ready for a new chapter.
Simmons floated the idea that if Lacob successfully acquires the Padres, it could open the door for a Warriors sale - not because he has to, but because the timing might be perfect. “This is kind of the perfect time to sell the Warriors,” Simmons said.
“You're at the height of the market, expansion money is coming, and the new owner gets Steph Curry for the next three to seven years. You could just say, ‘Four titles.
I couldn’t have done better.’”
From a business perspective, there’s logic to that. The Warriors are riding high in valuation, and while the championship core still includes Stephen Curry, the future is less certain.
Curry is now 37. Draymond Green isn’t far behind in age, and the roster is in flux.
A rebuild is coming - maybe not tomorrow, but soon - and that’s always a delicate transition for any ownership group.
Meanwhile, the Padres represent a compelling opportunity. The franchise is in a state of transition following the passing of owner Peter Seidler.
Legal and financial complexities tied to the family trust have made the team a candidate for sale. For Lacob, who has previously shown interest in acquiring MLB teams like the Athletics and Angels, this could be the opening he’s been waiting for.
Lacob has long expressed a passion for baseball, and from a business standpoint, the timing aligns. The Padres have a strong fan base, a modern ballpark in Petco Park, and a roster that’s been built to compete - albeit with some recent turbulence. Stepping into MLB ownership wouldn’t just be a lateral move; it would be a new frontier for a man who thrives on building elite organizations.
Of course, none of this guarantees Lacob is ready to walk away from the Warriors. But it does raise the question: after building one of the NBA’s most successful franchises of the 21st century, is it time for him to try and replicate that magic on the baseball diamond?
For now, it’s a storyline worth watching. Because if Joe Lacob does make the leap to MLB, it won’t be as a passive investor.
It’ll be with the same ambitious, hands-on approach that turned Golden State into a juggernaut. And that could mean big changes - not just for the Padres, but for the Warriors as well.