Manny Machado Puts His Massive $350 Million Deal to Good Use With a Major MLS Move

Manny Machado has not been having the best of seasons in baseball. The San Diego Padres star suffered a minor hand fracture after getting hit by a pitch in a game. Additionally, the Friars have been struggling since the beginning of the season; they currently occupy the second last place in the NL West. It is unclear whether the third baseman will go on the IL and he is evidently frustrated. A recent happening in the soccer world, however, seems to have lifted Machado’s spirits.

Major League Soccer has been expanding in recent years, receiving support from various athletes from American sports. On his day off from baseball, Machado became the most recent one to join hands with a soccer team. After spending the day at Snapdragon Stadium, the Padres player strengthened his ties to San Diego.

Manny Machado becomes minority owner of MLS San Diego expansion team

FOX Sports MLB shared the news on Twitter, announcing, “Manny Machado has been introduced as a minority owner for San Diego’s new MLS expansion team”. The Friars’ infielder joins three other limited partners for a club whose name has yet to be unveiled. Machado’s massive 11-year, $350 million contract extension with the Padres certainly helps his journey in investing.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the San Diego MLS ownership group. I continue to plant roots in this amazing community that means so much to me and build upon my connection with the incredible fans,” the ballplayer said in a press release. “I’m further encouraged by the club’s commitment and experience that it brings, through Right to Dream, in developing young athletes personally, academically, and athletically, and excited to support the growth of soccer in San Diego,” he added.

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Right to Dream is a youth development program, and Machado is joining the organization’s founder Tom Vernon and board member Dan Dickinson. While the Padres player seems happy with this new role, fans aren’t exactly happy to see Machado spending his time on a new sport.

San Diego Padres fans mock Machado for taking up a new role amid a disastrous season

It’s no secret that 2023 has been rough for the Friars, despite the huge names that occupy its roster. To see Machado going in a direction away from baseball has irked fans.

The Padres have famously never won a World Series title and some fans predicted the same fate for the MLS team.

Some mocked Machado for playing on a losing team and not focusing enough on baseball.

Machado and the Padres have yet to announce what the near future holds for him but fans will certainly appreciate an update.

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