Padres sale in place, needs MLB approval

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A group that includes former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley and pro golfer Phil Mickelson reached agreement Monday to buy the San Diego Padres from John Moores in a deal believed to be around $800 million.

Ron Fowler, chief executive of Liquid Investments, would become controlling owner if the agreement is approved by baseball owners and finalized, a baseball official said Tuesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because that deal was not announced.

O’Malley is the son of Walter O’Malley, who bought the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and moved them to Los Angeles before the 1958 season.

U-T San Diego first reported Monday night that a purchase agreement had been signed.

The purchase price apparently includes the $200 million in upfront money the Padres received from Fox Sports San Diego in a $1.2 billion, 30-year TV deal.

The agreement came months after Jeff Moorad’s attempt to buy the team on a layaway plan fell apart. Moores’ deal with Moorad, who began his attempted purchase of the club in 2009, was valued at about $500 million.

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