Padres Not Being Sold, Smith Says

Padre President Ballard Smith on Friday denied a published report that negotiations are in progress for the team to be sold to billionaire Marvin Davis or another party.

“The Padres have had no discussions with Marvin Davis and have not received any offer from him to purchase the team,” Smith said in a statement. “There are no negotiations under way with Mr. Davis or anyone else for the sale of the club.”

According to the San Diego Union, owner Joan Kroc had begun negotiations to sell the Padres for about $50 million. The story said Davis was a potential buyer, but that others were being invited to match or top the price.

Davis, who made his fortune in oil and real estate, has attempted three times to buy the Oakland A’s and move them to Denver. Davis moved a majority of his business operation from Denver to Los Angeles in the past year, but he still has an office in Denver.

Lee Solters, a representative of Davis, contradicted Smith’s statement that there have not been discussions in regard to Davis purchasing the Padres.

“There have been conversations, and nothing beyond that,” Solters said. “That’s the only thing I know.”

In Denver, a source said that Solters’ statement has been the standard Davis comment since Davis failed to purchase the A’s.

“Until it actually happens, there have been a lot of false alarms here,” the Denver source said. “Until there is a team in this city, people pretty much look at it that way.”

Steve Katich, executive director of the Denver Baseball Commission, which is attempting to bring a team to the city, said he did not know of any contact between Davis and the Padres. Since Davis no longers resides in Denver, there is a question over whether he would prefer to leave the team in San Diego or move it to Denver if he purchased the Padres.

“I can’t speculate on that because I don’t know,” Solters said. “Any answer I give may be just a foul ball.”

Smith said the Padres will remain in San Diego.

“There is no way that this club would ever be sold to be moved out of the city,” Smith told the San Diego Union. “Baseball would not allow that.”