FOR SALE: THE DODGERS : O'MALLEY CITES COSTS OF RUNNING PRO SPORTS TEAM.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

Peter O'Malley, whose family assumed control of the Dodgers in 1950 and moved them from Brooklyn to Los Angeles seven years later, has put the team up for sale.

The decision is the result of the prohibitive - and burgeoning - costs of running a professional sports franchise, O'Malley said Monday afternoon at a news conference at Dodger Stadium.

Specifically, he said ``estate planning'' is the primary factor.

O'Malley said he has received no concrete offers for the team, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's signing as baseball's first African-American player. But O'Malley believes a deal could be made within six months.

The team - as well as Dodger Stadium, Dodger Town in Vero Beach, Fla., and Campo Las Palmas in the Dominican Republic, all of which is for sale - is believed to be worth more than $200 million.

``I think family ownership of sports today is probably a dying breed,'' he said. ``I think if you look at all sports, it's a high-risk business. . . . I think you need a broader base than an individual family to carry you through the storm. I think that groups and corporations are probably the wave of the future.

``It's a pretty good idea not to . . . have all your eggs in the same basket. Diversification is a pretty good idea.''

Some, including former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda, believe the unsettled state of baseball the past few years played a role in driving O'Malley away.

When he was asked whether it did, O'Malley didn't respond directly but said, ``The happy times far outweigh the disappointments.''

Others were taken utterly by surprise.

With a new contract, baseball seemed to be emerging from one of its ugliest periods. Before long, an independent commissioner will be named, something O'Malley has long promoted.

And, when he announced he was looking into the possibility of bringing an NFL franchise to Los Angeles and building a football stadium next to Dodger Stadium, he seemed to be broadening his interests in the sports world.

In the end, though, it came down to money. Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire, for one, understood.

``I didn't know it was brewing,'' said Claire, who was told Sunday. ``But I'm not shocked because I know the reality of sports. I knew it was a possibility. It's very difficult for a family ownership to be able to sustain the risk.

``Look at baseball, look at any other sport. Where is the family ownership? There aren't many that exist.''

Walter O'Malley gained control of the Dodgers from Branch Rickey in October 1950. He ushered in a new era in baseball when he moved the Dodgers from Ebbets Field to Los Angeles and convinced Horace Stoneham to move the Giants from New York to San Francisco after the 1957 season.

Peter O'Malley succeeded his father as team president in March 1970. Walter O'Malley died in 1979.

Combined, they won six World Series and built the Dodgers into one of the most stable - and profitable - sports organizations in the world.

``The O'Malley family has been an important and innovative player in Major League Baseball for nearly a half century,'' said acting commissioner Bud Selig. ``The Dodger franchise, under their leadership, has enjoyed phenomenal success both on the field and off. The O'Malleys leave to baseball a rich and powerful legacy.

``Peter O'Malley, who is the longest active team president in the major leagues, has been a strong and respected voice in baseball. I want to assure Dodger fans, Peter and the team that we will work with them to keep the franchise in Los Angeles and continue its legacy of success.''

O'Malley said he has received inquiries about buying the Dodgers an average of once a year in the past 25 years.

However, he was adamant when he said Monday that ``there is absolutely no dialogue between us and prospective buyers at this time,'' which means the search for a new owner is just beginning.

O'Malley said he doesn't want to rush the process and was very specific about the kind of owner he would like to succeed him.

``I think quality ownership is very important,'' he said. ``I've seen some ballclubs in my period of time sold three, four times. I will do everything possible, my family will do everything possible to identify quality ownership to follow our family.

``Hopefully, it will be someone or some entity with roots in the community; I think that's important, and a commitment to the community, as we've had a commitment to the community.

``I don't want to lose a step there. I want the transition to be smooth, to go as if this never happened. That's the goal.''

O'Malley seems to be at peace with himself.

Although he was utterly composed at the news conference, he said this is an emotional time. He said, ``When my dad became president, I think I was 14 years old. So I've been following the Dodgers and will continue to follow the Dodgers forever and ever.''

He also seems to be comfortable with his decision.

He said he has mulled the thought of selling the team for some time and consulted regularly with members of his family. He said he has their ``unanimous support.''

And, he added, if Walter O'Malley were here, he too would approve.

``He would have said, `Peter, it's your call,' '' O'Malley said. `` `Think it through,' which I've done. `Come to your own conclusion and I'll support you 100 percent.'

``So I think he would've been very supportive.''

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PHOTO (color) Peter O'Malley

Expects deal within 6 months