Phil Mickelson Joins Group Bidding on San Diego Padres

ESPN is reporting that golf star Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors interested in buying the San Diego Padres.

According to the report, Mickelson, a San Diego native, revealed that while he has rejected previous opportunities to become involved in sports ownership in the past, the Padres were just “too appealing” to pass up on.

Mickelson said:

“I think it’s a very good investment opportunity. More than that, it’s opportunity to be involved in the community in San Diego, with something that gives the community a sense of pride. I feel like we can make the Padres a competitive team that can contend year in and year out, and we can do something for the community.”

He added: “It’s something I’ve loved since I was a kid.”

The U-T San Diego reports that Mickelson’s buying group includes four grandchildren of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley — Kevin and Brian O’Malley, and their cousins Peter and Tom Seidler, the chief executive of Class A Visalia Rawhide.

In addition to Mickelson and Co., at least three other groups have expressed interest in purchasing the Padres, and others might still emerge before a deal gets done

Mickelson, 41, has won 40 PGA Tour titles, including four major championships. According Forbes magazine, the three-time Masters champion pocketed $48 million in winnings, endorsement and other income between May 2011 and May 2012 — making him the sixth highest earner in golf.

Phil said he did not expect his interest in purchasing the Padres to affect his golf career.