Mickelson considering baseball buyout

Golf star Phil Mickelson had some batting practice ahead of the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game last September.Phil Mickelson is considering an investment in the San Diego PadresThe four-time major winner could bid for baseball team as part of a consortiumThe San Diego native earned reported $48 million between May 2011 and May 2012 Forbes magazine estimates Mickelson has pocketed $378 million in last eight years

(CNN) — Every sports fan has daydreamed about what it would be like to own their hometown team.

For the vast majority of enthusiasts it is a far-fetched, and unaffordable, fantasy. But if you are one of the world’s wealthiest golf stars, it is an investment you can seriously consider.

And it would seem four-time major winner Phil Mickelson is pondering such a purchase, after the California native revealed he is part of a group considering a bid for the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise.”I’ve had the opportunity to invest in other sports franchises, and I’ve turned it down in the past,” the 41-year-old told the San Diego Union-Tribune website.Donald wins to return back to the top of the world rankingsvar currExpandable=”expand16″;if(typeof CNN.expandableMap===’object’){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type=’video’;mObj.contentId=”;mObj.source=’sports/2012/05/07/golf-mickelson-hall-of-fame.cnn’;mObj.lgImage=”http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120507063351-golf-mickelson-hall-of-fame-00032602-story-body.jpg”;mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX=”214″;mObj.origImageY=”120″;mObj.contentType=’video’;CNN.expElements.expand16Store=mObj;var currExpandable=”expand26″;if(typeof CNN.expandableMap===’object’){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type=’video’;mObj.contentId=”;mObj.source=’sports/2012/05/23/mxp-golfer-lexi-thompson-marine-prom.hln’;mObj.lgImage=”http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120523023939-lexi-thompson-and-mark-scott-story-body.jpg”;mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX=”214″;mObj.origImageY=”120″;mObj.contentType=’video’;CNN.expElements.expand26Store=mObj;”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 was born in San Diego, is the second-highest earner on the PGA Tour, having amassed winnings of $66 million since turning pro in 1992.According to the financial magazine Forbes, the three-time Masters champion pocketed $48 million in winnings, endorsement and other income between May 2011 and May 2012 — making him the sixth highest earner in sport.Over the eight years Forbes has been compiling the list, it is estimated Mickelson has earned $378 million.Mickelson, who is part of a group of potential investors which includes four grandchildren of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley, revealed he would be putting “a lot” of his own money into the deal.”Given the price tag,” said Mickelson, “it’s a significant amount.”The size of the offer is not known, but the Dodgers were sold for $2.1 billion last month to a group including former basketball superstar Magic Johnson.”When we met with Phil we were inspired by his commitment to San Diego and his passion for the Padres,” Kevin O’Malley, one of the other potential investors, said in a prepared statement released to the PGA Tour’s website.”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.”May 7, 2012 — Updated 1141 GMT (1941 HKT) When Rickie Fowler was named PGA Tour rookie of the year in 2010, many thought it should have gone to another young prodigy — Rory McIlroy.May 3, 2012 — Updated 1431 GMT (2231 HKT) Donald Trump threatens to sue Scottish authorities if plans to build a wind farm near his $1 billion links course development go ahead.May 3, 2012 — Updated 1422 GMT (2222 HKT) Course designer Martin Hawtree takes CNN’s Living Golf on a tour of the controversial Trump International Links course.May 3, 2012 — Updated 1423 GMT (2223 HKT) Former world No. 1 Martin Kaymer shows CNN’s Living Golf why he consistently hits the ball well.May 3, 2012 — Updated 1422 GMT (2222 HKT) Living Golf looks back at Bobby Jones’ 1926 Open Championship victory, the American’s first of three titles at the British major.April 25, 2012 — Updated 2011 GMT (0411 HKT) Having grown up in a military family, golf star Paula Creamer is hoping to help families of America’s armed forces with her charity foundation.April 26, 2012 — Updated 1649 GMT (0049 HKT) Former world No. 1 Ernie Els is throwing his weight — and his millions — behind a cause close to his heart as he seeks to build a new research center.April 10, 2012 — Updated 1658 GMT (0058 HKT) From Santa Claus outfits to leaping into jacuzzis and smashing lettuces, there’s no antic too crazy for new Masters champion Bubba Watson. Bubba Watson’s Masters triumph heralds the arrival of a much-needed breath of fresh air for golf, says CNN’s Shane O’Donoghue.April 6, 2012 — Updated 1147 GMT (1947 HKT) CNN’s Masters rookie reveals that his first trip to Augusta conjures up images of theme parks more prevalent in another U.S. state. April 5, 2012 — Updated 2250 GMT (0650 HKT) When Arnold Palmer drove up Magnolia Drive on the eve of the 1962 Masters, he was in a confident mood. This was to be his “Annus Mirabilis.” CNN’s Patrick Snell says it is anyone’s guess if Augusta National will bow to pressure and admit female members to the exclusive club.April 4, 2012 — Updated 1510 GMT (2310 HKT) In the golf world, springtime means only one thing: the Masters. Discover 18 reasons why it is one of the year’s sporting highlights. CNN’s Colin Hancock says the choice of who designs the Rio course is only the first step in making sure golf keeps its Olympic status. March 1, 2012 — Updated 1138 GMT (1938 HKT) When the first sod was laid on Donald Trump’s billion-dollar Scottish golf resort, few people could have predicted that less than a year later it would be under threat.Today’s five most popular stories More