Gulls Ownership In Limbo as Smith, Baldwin Depart : Hockey: Jerry Buss mentioned as possible buyer for team.

SAN DIEGO —  From spring through summer and into fall, the Gulls have awaited the day their 1991 ownership change becomes official. That day soon might come, but the new owners--Howard Baldwin and Ballard Smith--are no longer there to take the reins.

Baldwin, the former NHL executive who assumed control of the International Hockey League team in May because he considered San Diego fertile expansion territory, has found greener pastures.

After becoming part owner of the Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins last week, Baldwin withdrew Friday as owner of the Gulls. And Smith, the former Padre vice president, is also bowing out as owner.

The two had agreed in May to purchase the team from developer Ron Hahn--who is buying the Gulls along with the San Diego Sports Arena lease from Harry Cooper. They were introduced as the club’s new owners at a July press conference. But they never served in an official capacity, because the City Council has yet to approve a long-awaited transfer of ownership from Cooper to Hahn.

“I don’t know who owns the Gulls right now,” Smith said. “Probably Harry Cooper. I’m playing golf with (Hahn) in the morning. I suppose the subject will come up. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

Smith, who is chairman of the board of Premier Food Services Inc., which has a concessions contract at the Sports Arena, said he and Baldwin still plan to work with the Gulls and will aid in any effort to bring the NHL to San Diego. Smith is still a member of Hahn’s investment group, which includes current Sports Arena president Richard Esquinas. He said Baldwin, aside from advocating expansion to San Diego, will help the Gulls acquire NHL players this season.

In the meantime, Hahn must begin a search for a new owner. He said that shouldn’t be a problem, because he had previously received “a ton” of inquiries from across the U.S. and Canada from other prospective owners. He hopes to have a replacement within 30 days.

“When the time is right and the right person surfaces,” Hahn said, “that’s when the deal will be struck.”

Hahn might consider Jerry Buss. The owner of the NBA Lakers and former owner of the NHL Kings said he is close to reaching a partnership agreement with Hahn that would include part ownership in a new arena and bringing the NHL to San Diego.

Asked if he would consider buying the Gulls, Buss said, “I’d have to look at it.”

Said Hahn in response: “I guess it’s not an unlikely scenario (for Buss) to own the Gulls for at least an interim period. It’s a thought, but we haven’t discussed anything like that.”

Baldwin told Hahn up front that his primary interest was in getting back into the NHL as soon as possible. But it is Cooper’s opinion that Baldwin was also disturbed that City Hall has not yet acted on the arena transaction.

“He was discouraged that it was taking so long to close,” Cooper said. “It’s been delayed now 120 days. It’s putting us in limbo. It’s like being in the Twilight Zone. I think the city should recognize we have a great opportunity here.”

“They should have approved it immediately. I think the Gulls have suffered from it. I don’t blame Howard or Ballard at all.”

“I’m disappointed with the way the situation developed with Howard, because he’s a longtime friend and I was hoping to do something with him here,” said Smith, who has ties with Baldwin dating to 1976--when Baldwin was president of the World Hockey Assn. and Smith was vice president and general manager of the WHA San Diego Mariners.

Smith, however, said he doesn’t believe the arena and ownership limbo has had any impact on the day-to-day operation of the Gulls nor was responsible for such a small fan turnout (less than 8,000 combined) for the team’s first two home games.

“There’s this perception of disarray there,” he said. “But I think the organization is a a pretty good one and things have moved along fairly well. It’s a better club than last year and I know it’s not as good a club as it’s going to be. It’s going to peak in March this year, not in November and December.”

Bill Cox, a Baldwin appointee as team president, also has stepped down. But Don Waddell, vice president, general manager and coach--the man many credit with keeping the team on a steady course throughout this turmoil--will retain his positions.

“Don’s doing a real good job,” Smith said. “I think someday he’ll be a general manager in the NHL. I think we’re lucky to have him. Right now all we want him to do is win some hockey games.”