Mickelson won't be involved with Padres ownership

(AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

By BERNIE WILSON

SAN DIEGO (AP) All that happy talk about Phil Mickelson becoming part owner of his hometown San Diego Padres was just that - talk.

Mickelson will not be involved with the group that bought the Padres in August, his spokesman, T.R. Reinman, told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

Reinman said the pro golfer told friends of his decision before a meeting at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Tuesday night to discuss renovation of the North Course.

Mickelson feels the O'Malley and Seidler families, which bought the Padres along with local businessman Ron Fowler, have the depth of commitment the city needs. Reinman said Mickelson feels he can't match that level of commitment, at this point.

"While we have had productive and enjoyable discussions with Phil, I respect his decision and appreciate his sincere approach," Peter Seidler said in an email to the AP early Wednesday. "We share a passion for San Diego, a commitment to the community and I look forward to a long friendship."

Mickelson had spoken excitedly about the possibility of joining the ownership group.

On Oct. 15, after taking a charity wedge shot at halftime of the Denver-San Diego NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium, he said: "It looks pretty promising and hopefully here in the next few days we'll have something to announce. I think we're getting it worked out."

On the day the Seidler-O'Malley group announced the $800 million sale had closed, Peter Seidler said there was one spot left in the ownership group and it was being held for Mickelson.

Seidler said then that due to conflicting schedules and the closing of the deal, he hadn't had a chance to sit down with the golfer to finalize his involvement, but hoped to do so in the following weeks.

Updated December 19, 2012