Erik Greupner
Chief Executive Officer
Erik Greupner was promoted to his current post of chief executive officer in January 2021. Greupner oversees the Padres’ operations and leads the growth and development of the club’s business and culture. 2025 marks his 15th season in San Diego after joining the club in December 2010. During his tenure as CEO, the Padres have consistently ranked in the top three among all Major League Baseball clubs in attendance and set all-time franchise records in attendance, season ticket sales, and every local revenue category. Under his leadership, the Padres became the first MLB club to secure a jersey patch partner, have significantly grown its fundraising and positive impact in the San Diego and Baja community through the Padres Foundation, have meticulously maintained and transformed Petco Park while retaining the continuous ranking as USA Today’s No. 1 Ballpark in MLB, and were honored as Baseball America’s 2024 Organization of the Year. Beginning in 2023, he led a first of its kind partnership between the Padres and MLB Media to broadcast local games, create Padres.TV, and build a MLB club record number of DTC subscribers.
Prior to assuming the role of CEO, Greupner served as president of business operations from December 2018 through December 2020 and chief operating officer from November 2016 to November 2018. While serving in those posts, he guided the club through the COVID-19 pandemic, led the club’s successful effort to secure the development rights for a transformational multi-use real estate project on Tailgate Lot, and oversaw the team’s business operations, including all revenue generation. During this time, the Padres set sponsorship, ticketing, and non-baseball event revenue and attendance records. The Padres also positively impacted the San Diego community through supporting racial justice efforts and frontline workers during the pandemic, including launching California’s first COVID-19 super vaccination site at Petco Park.
Greupner served in various roles for the Padres from December 2010 to November 2016. Over this period, he led the lobbying efforts and negotiations that resulted in the Padres amending its lease with the City of San Diego to significantly increase the number of non-baseball events at Petco Park and positively impact the regional economy. Greupner also led the negotiations of a new long-term lease and construction of the Padres’ Spring Training facility and renovated stadium in Peoria, Ariz. Finally, Greupner’s efforts were instrumental in securing the 2016 MLB All-Star Game in San Diego.
Prior to joining the Padres, Greupner worked as a corporate and transactional attorney with the international law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. While at Gibson Dunn, he advised senior management of public and private companies in general corporate matters, acquirers and targets in mergers and acquisitions, and institutional investors and fund sponsors in the formation and operation of private investment funds.
Prior to his time with Gibson Dunn, Greupner worked in sales management roles with Goldman Sachs & Company and Scudder Weisel Capital, LLC.
Greupner earned his Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif. He served as a judicial intern for the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
A native of Minneapolis, Minn., Greupner graduated cum laude from Wheaton College, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and communications. During his four years at Wheaton, Greupner was a defensive back and receiver for the Thunder football team. He currently serves on the MLB Media board and board of trustees of the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation. He has also served on MLB’s International Committee and the President’s Working Group of the Business and Media Board. He and his wife, Laura, have a son and two daughters.