The Sports Xchange
Padres sale for $800 million approved by MLB owners
Major League Baseball owners voted to approve the sale of the San Diego Padres to an ownership group led by the family of former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley and professional golfer Phil Mickelson.
The group purchased the Padres for $800 million from John Moores, pending final financial approval by Aug. 31.
“This group knows what it takes to compete,” MLB commissioner Bud Selig said. “They’re very optimistic. I’m optimistic. I’ve gone over their projections, gone over everything. I think their projections are optimistic but realistic. This is a good day for baseball. I think Padres fans have a right to be very happy today — very happy.”
Kevin and Brian O’Malley are sons of the former Dodgers’ owner, Peter, and two of his nephews — Peter and Tom Seidler — are also heavily involved. Mickelson said last week he won’t have a role in the day-to-day operation, yet he’ll be very involved in other ways.
Padres general manager Josh Byrnes and CEO Tom Garfinkel will meet with new ownership but the incoming group has been complimentary of the current baseball management staff.
Moores was forced to sell the team under terms of his divorce. He first tried to sell the franchise to former agent and baseball executive Jeffrey Moorad in 2009.
———————————————–
