Mickelson part of group interested in buying Padres

San Diego native and resident Phil Mickelson is interested in purchasing a piece of the San Diego Padres, the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting.

"I've had the opportunity to invest in other sports franchises, and I've turned it down in the past," Mickelson told the newspaper Monday morning. "This was a unique opportunity with families that had done this before and know how to do it right and want to get involved in the community."

Mickelson, who ranked second in the most recent Golf Digest 50 of the game's top earners with $42 million in income in 2011, declined an opportunity to buy into the Padres in 2009.

"I was approached by the new ownership group several times," Mickelson told the Union-Tribune then. "I took a look at it and thought it could be a great deal for someone. But at this point I'm just not interested in being a part of any sports franchise."

Mickelson has joined a group headed by four grandsons of former Dodgers' owner Walter O'Malley that is interested in purchasing the team from majority owner John Moores, the newspaper is reporting. They include Kevin and Brian O'Malley, whose father was Dodgers co-owner Peter O'Malley, and their cousins Peter and Tom Seidler, whose mother is O'Malley's sister Terry Seidler. Peter O'Malley is orchestrating the effort, though reportedly is not interested in playing an active role should the group succeed in its bid.

"When we met with Phil we were inspired by his commitment to San Diego and his passion for the Padres," Kevin O'Malley said through a family spokesman. "He is a world-class person, athlete and businessman with a strong history of charitable leadership and he will be an ideal partner for many years in San Diego."

-- John Strege