PADRES OWNER NOT AVERSE TO PUBLIC REFERENDUM FOR BALLPARK

          Padres Owner John Moores believes that "when the time
     comes for a baseball-only ballpark to be funded and built" in
     San Diego, the issue should be presented in a public
     referendum, according to Barry Bloom of the SAN DIEGO UNION-
     TRIBUNE.  Moores: "If there is any component of public
     financing, I think sports facilities should come to a public
     vote."  In April, a mayor's task force in San Diego will
     study the issue of a new baseball stadium, and four potential
     locations have already "emerged."  Moores said the Padres
     will offer a "sizable cash contribution toward funding" a new
     ballpark.  While Moores said the team should cut its $8M loss
     in '96 to $2-3M in '97, it is prepared to "await the
     findings" of the task force as the "only way for the club to
     attain long-term financial viability is to play in a new
     ballpark" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/15).