Owners Clear Way for Padres to Be Sold

Major league baseball owners Thursday gave the go-ahead for television producer Tom Werner to sell the San Diego Padres to Texas computer software millionaire John Moores, who generated his fortune off a $1,000 stake in 1980.

The sale is expected to be completed in the next few weeks, said Larry Lucchino, a former Baltimore Oriole president who is assisting Moores.

A source said Moores will pay about $80 million to be majority owner of the worst team in the big leagues during the strike-interrupted 1994 season. Werner and 14 other Southern California businessmen bought the Padres from Joan Kroc for $75 million in 1990 and are expected to retain a minority interest.

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Angel first baseman J.T. Snow had arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his left shoulder at Anaheim Memorial Hospital.

Snow was injured while diving for a fly ball when playing left field in the Venezuelan Winter League. He is expected back for the start of spring training.

Golf

Ernie Els had seven birdies and a four-putt double-bogey on the back nine in shooting a seven-under-par 64 for a three-shot lead after the first round of the Johnnie Walker World Championship at Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo and Mark McCumber were tied for second at 67, and 13 players from the 24-player field of tournament champions from around the world broke par.

Hockey

A second day of negotiations between attorneys for the NHL and its players’ association ended with no reports of progress toward ending the lockout, which is in its 77th day and threatens to consume the season. However, sources said Commissioner Gary Bettman and union boss Bob Goodenow are expected to meet this weekend in New York.

Football

Louisville Coach Howard Schnellenberger reportedly has visited with Oklahoma officials and is a leading candidate for the Sooners’ coaching job.

Wisconsin defensive back Donny Brady and linebacker Sylas Pratt will miss the Hall of Fame Bowl after being charged in a shoplifting incident involving a video game at a variety store in Madison.

Los Angeles, Birmingham and San Antonio are reportedly being considered as new homes for the Canadian Football League’s troubled Las Vegas Posse franchise.

The expansion Posse finished 5-13 and averaged only 8,940 spectators per game. The team is almost $2 million in debt.

Los Angeles businessman Philip M. Johnson has agreed to purchase a controlling interest in the team for $2.5 million. He also has had two meetings with Coliseum officials.

Colorado running back Rashaan Salaam was named college football player of the year and Oregon’s Rich Brooks was named coach of the year by the Sporting News.

Miscellany

Francois Carrard, director general of the International Olympic Committee, said that Olympic athletes soon will have to sign a form requiring them to settle disputes by arbitration rather than litigation. Refusal to sign would prohibit the athlete from competing in the Olympics.

The Assn. of Volleyball Professionals and USA Volleyball have reached an accord that will allow AVP players to participate in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, in which beach volleyball will be a medal sport for the first time.

Bermuda’s Olympic soccer team has been suspended after seven players were charged in Florida with importing and possessing marijuana.

Names in the News

Harold O. Zimman, philanthropist, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and publisher of sports magazines, died at 78 of heart failure in Boston. . . . U.S. World Cup goalkeeper Tony Meola has signed with the Buffalo Blizzard of the indoor National Professional Soccer League. . . . National water polo runner-up USC placed field players Drew Netherton and Hrvoje Cizmic on the All-American team.