Who is the Owner of the Edmonton Oilers?

Who Owns the Edmonton Oilers?

The Edmonton Oilers are owned by Daryl Katz, the billionaire Alberta businessman who purchased the franchise in 2008 for approximately C$200 million from the Edmonton Investors Group (EIG) — the community ownership consortium that had saved the team from relocation in the late 1990s. Katz built his fortune through Katz Group, the pharmacy retail and real estate company that owns the Rexall pharmacy chain across Canada. His purchase of the Oilers made him the wealthiest person in Alberta at the time and one of the most significant private sports investors in Canadian history.

Katz Group’s pharmacy business was assembled through acquisitions of regional pharmacy chains, culminating in the ownership of Rexall, which had hundreds of locations across Canada. McKesson Corporation, the American healthcare distribution giant, acquired Katz’s pharmacy retail business in 2016 for approximately C$3 billion, significantly increasing his liquid wealth and giving him expanded capital for his real estate and sports investments. The Edmonton Oilers are held privately through the Katz Group’s corporate structure with no publicly traded shares.

Jeff Jackson became President and CEO of the Edmonton Oilers Entertainment Group in 2023, taking over from Bob Nicholson. The organization manages both the Oilers and Rogers Place arena, the state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2016 and anchors Edmonton’s Ice District — one of North America’s largest urban development projects, combining the arena with residential, commercial, and hotel development in downtown Edmonton.

About Daryl Katz and Katz Group

Daryl Katz was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1961 and studied law at the University of Alberta before transitioning into business. He began acquiring pharmacy businesses in the 1990s, using aggressive deal-making to consolidate independent pharmacies and smaller chains into what eventually became the Rexall brand. His business model combined pharmacy retail with in-store health services, and the resulting company became one of Canada’s most recognized pharmacy brands before its sale to McKesson in 2016.

Katz Group has continued as an active investment vehicle, with particular focus on real estate development. The Ice District project in Edmonton — a $2.5 billion development surrounding Rogers Place — represents one of Canada’s most ambitious urban development undertakings and reflects Katz’s commitment to transforming Edmonton’s downtown. He has also invested in entertainment and film production, with Katz Group maintaining a diversified private investment portfolio beyond hockey and real estate.

Key Ownership Highlights

• Daryl Katz purchased the Edmonton Oilers in 2008 for approximately C$200 million from the EIG community ownership group. He built his primary wealth through Katz Group’s pharmacy retail business (Rexall), which he sold to McKesson in 2016 for approximately C$3 billion, and through real estate investments through Katz Group.
• The Edmonton Oilers won five Stanley Cup championships as the dynasty team of the 1980s (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990), anchored by Wayne Gretzky — widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time. All five championships predated Katz’s ownership, but they define the franchise’s identity and the passionate expectations of Edmonton’s fan base.
• Rogers Place, the Oilers’ home arena, opened in September 2016 and is one of the NHL’s newest and most technologically advanced venues. It anchors Edmonton’s Ice District, a $2.5 billion mixed-use development that represents one of Canada’s largest urban development projects and is a centerpiece of Katz’s broader real estate investment strategy.
• The Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2024, losing to the Florida Panthers in seven games after a dramatic comeback from a 3–0 series deficit. The Finals appearance — the franchise’s first since 2006 — reinvigorated the Edmonton hockey community and demonstrated the team’s championship potential around Connor McDavid, arguably the best player in the modern game.
• Connor McDavid, who has played his entire career with the Oilers since being selected first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, is widely considered the best player in hockey and has won the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) multiple times during Katz’s ownership era. His presence has elevated the Oilers’ national and international profile significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the Edmonton Oilers?

Daryl Katz is the principal owner of the Edmonton Oilers, having purchased the franchise in 2008 for approximately C$200 million. He built his wealth through Katz Group’s pharmacy retail business (Rexall chain) and subsequent real estate investments. The Oilers are privately held through Katz Group.

Are the Edmonton Oilers publicly traded?

No. The Edmonton Oilers are privately held by Daryl Katz through Katz Group. There are no publicly traded shares of the franchise available on any stock exchange.

When did the Oilers last win the Stanley Cup?

The Edmonton Oilers’ last Stanley Cup championships came in the 1980s dynasty era (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990) — all before Daryl Katz’s ownership. Under Katz’s ownership, the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2024, losing to the Florida Panthers in seven games in a memorable comeback series.

Who plays for the Edmonton Oilers?

The Oilers’ most notable player is Connor McDavid, selected first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft and widely considered the best player in hockey. McDavid has won multiple Hart Trophies (NHL MVP) and Art Ross Trophies (top scorer) and has elevated the Oilers into perennial championship contenders during Daryl Katz’s ownership era.