SB Nation St. Louis - Sale Of Blues To Tom Stillman Approved By Unanimous Board of Governors Vote

St. Louis Blues CEO Mike McCarthy Leaving Organization

2012-05-25T21:39:43Z

St. Louis Blues CEO Mike McCarthy is leaving the organization, according to a report from Jeremy Rutherford on Friday afternoon.

#stlblues CEO Mike McCarthy will be leaving the organization.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) May 25, 2012

No details regarding the circumstances surrounding his departure have been released at this time, though the Blues' new ownership could be a factor in this move.

McCarthy was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Blues, the Scottrade Center and Peabody Opera House.

In other personnel news, assistant coach Scott Mellanby left the Blues on Wednesday. He wants to pursue a position in hockey operations.

For more Blues coverage, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis and SB Nation Blues blog St. Louis Game Time. For more news and notes from around the NHL, please visit SB Nation's hockey news hub.

St. Louis Blues President John Davidson Hopes New Ownership Wants To Keep Him

2012-05-24T23:55:17Z

The St. Louis Blues are under new ownership, which has made current team president John Davidson's future with the team a bit uncertain. Davidson says he'd like to stay with the organization but also would understand if the new owners wanted to pick their own guy.

Blues Prez John Davidson has a window in his contract that allows him to seek employment elsewhere following the ownership change ... (1/2)
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) May 24, 2012

JD says he'd like to stay in St. Louis but understands ownership has the right to pick who they want to lead. More in tomorrow's P-D (2/2)
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) May 24, 2012

For more Blues coverage, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis and SB Nation Blues blog St. Louis Game Time. For more news and notes from around the NHL, please visit SB Nation's hockey news hub.

VIDEO: Stillman, Ownership Group Introduced At Blues' Press Conference

2012-05-10T16:58:40Z

In case you missed the press conference that the St. Louis Blues held today to introduce their new owner, Tom Stillman, the team has a brief synopsis on their website. For now, the most important thing that people are worried about is who exactly makes up the ownership group. It’s far more than just Stillman. It’s a who’s who of St. Louis business owners, all of whom have a vested interest in the city and this team.

From blues.nhl.com:

•Thomas H. Stillman – Chairman & CEO, Summit Distributing
•Jerald L. Kent – Chairman & CEO, Suddenlink Communications, CEO, Cequel III
•Donn S. Lux – Chairman & CEO, Luxco
•James A. Cooper – Managing Partner, Thompson Street Capital Partners
•Jo Ann Taylor Kindle – President, Enterprise Holdings Foundation
•W. Stephen Maritz – Chairman & CEO, Maritz Inc.
•Edward M. Potter – Private investor
•Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Taylor – Mr. Taylor is Chairman & CEO of Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
•David L. Steward – Chairman, World Wide Technology, Inc.
•James P. Kavanaugh – CEO, World Wide Technology, Inc.
•John C. Danforth – Partner, Bryan Cave LLP, Former U.S. Senator, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
•Christopher B. Danforth – Owner & CMO, Kennelwood Pet Resorts
•James L. Johnson – Senior Vice President, Stifel Nicolaus & Co.
•Scott B. McCuaig – Former President, Stifel Nicolaus & Co.
•John S. Ross, Jr. – President, Summit Development Group
•Thomas F. Schlafly – Partner, Thompson Coburn, Founder, The Saint Louis Brewery

Here's the full video of the press conference:

Blues Schedule Press Conference To Introduce New Owners, Management

2012-05-10T15:37:17Z

The St. Louis Blues will be holding an official press conference at 11:00 AM to introduce Tom Stillman and the other members of the ownership group that just purchased the Blues, Peoria Rivermen, part ownership of the Peabody Opera House, and the Scottrade Center lease. According to the press release, Gary Bettman will be in attendance, which might mark the first time in heaven knows how long he’s set foot in St. Louis.

Just when we thought we were in the clear.

The press conference will be aired on FoxSports Midwest as well as KMOX 1120. Presumably it will also be streamed live on the Blues site too.

Blues captain David Backes is excited for the new ownership. In a statement to the Post-Dispatch’s Jeremy Rutherford, Backes had this to say:

“A guy that’s passionate, from the St. Louis area … he’s around the rink as much as the players are, he’s on road trips … what more could you want?”

Indeed.

It's Official: Blues Sale To Tom Stillman Is Complete

2012-05-09T19:34:39Z

It’s finally official — the Blues have a new ownership group made up of Tom Stillman and four other local investors. All of them are St. Lousians, which should add to the “caring” that’s going on. Hometown owners owning a hometown team? That’s a fan’s pipe dream come true.

The League announced today that the Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve the sale to Stillman’s group. The sale price was expected to be between $120-$130 million, and includes the Peoria Rivermen, a part of the Peabody Opera House, and the Scottrade Center lease.

A press conference is scheduled for tomorrow to introduce the new owners to the press and to the fans. Heads up — it might involve Commish Gary Bettman. Plan accordingly.

NHL Board Of Governors Unanimously Approve Tom Stillman's Purchase Of The Blues, According to Report

2012-05-09T12:33:24Z

In a bit of an early leak for what is supposed to be today’s big announcement, a report has surfaced that the Board of Governors has approved the sale of the St. Louis Blues to Tom Stillman and his group. Jeremy Rutherford tweeted the news last night ahead of the official announcement that’s expected for later on today.

Also, the official press conference regarding the sale will be scheduled for Thursday, May 10th. Hopefully Brett Hull will be on hand for some entertainment. Seeing as how it’s a media event, he probably will be.

Sale Of St. Louis Blues To Tom Stillman A Bargain At $120 Million

2012-05-09T01:03:00Z

According to Forbes.com, the Blues’ sale to Tom Stillman might be one of the hockey steals of the decade. For the Blues, the Peoria Rivermen, the lease to the Scottrade Center and part ownership of the Peabody Opera House, Stillman and his group will only be paying the low, low price of $120 million. That’s slightly down from the previously thought number of $130 million, and significantly less than the $190 million expected for the package last September.

Honestly, as the sale has gone on, the asking price has gotten lower and lower. Maybe Stillman’s early low-ball offers were on to something. Regardless of the purchase price, Blues fans are looking forward to a new era of ownership who is looking to build on this season’s success.

St. Louis Blues' Sale Expected To Close On Wednesday, According To Report

2012-05-07T22:58:48Z

According to a report from the Post-Dispatch, a group is set to close on its purchase of the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday. That group is led by current minority owner Tom Stillman. Brett Hull may end up with a management position under the new owners.

A group led by Blues' minority owner Tom Stillman is expected to close on its purchase of the club Wednesday, sources have told the Post-Dispatch.

Hall of Famer Brett Hull is expected to be named to a management position under the new ownership. No other changes within the management staff are known at this time.

For more Blues coverage, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis and SB Nation Blues blog St. Louis Game Time. For more news and notes from around the NHL, please visit SB Nation's hockey news hub.