MLB approves sale of San Diego Padres to Seidler/O'Malley Families and Ron Fowler

          DENVER – Major League Baseball approved the sale of the San Diego Padres from John Moores to the group led by the Seidler/O’Malley families and Ron Fowler during its quarterly meetings, Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today.  Mr. Fowler will serve as the new ownership group’s control person.  The involvement of the grandchildren of Walter O’Malley – as represented by the Seidler/O’Malley interests in the team - marks the return to Baseball ownership for his family.

Commissioner Selig said: “On behalf of Major League Baseball, 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.  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.

“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.  I wish John and his family all the best.”