Denver, CO – Major League Baseball owners have approved the sale of the San Diego Padres.
A group led by longtime San Diego businessman Ron Fowler agreed to purchase the club from John Moores earlier this month. Fowler will be the controlling owner with partners that include pro golfer Phil Mickelson, a San Diego native, and family members of former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley, including son Kevin and nephew Tom Seidler.
"I am pleased to congratulate Ron Fowler, the Seidler and O'Malley families and all of their partners as they become the new stewards of the San Diego Padres," said baseball commissioner Bud Selig in a statement. "With significant local representation and extensive baseball experience, this group understands the Padres' binding role in the community, and I believe that its collective long-term vision and passion will serve the fans of San Diego well in the years ahead."
The San Diego Union-Tribune had reported the sale price to be about $800 million. Moores had owned the Padres since the end of the 1994 season.
"I appreciate all that John Moores has done for the city of San Diego and applaud his exceptional sense of personal philanthropy, which has benefited many worthy local causes since his purchase of the club in 1994," Selig added. "I wish John and his family all the best."
The Padres reached the playoffs four times and went to the 1998 World Series during Moores' ownership tenure, but haven't been to the postseason since 2006. The club also moved into Petco Park in 2004.
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