The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team competing in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and plays its home games at the Enterprise Center in downtown St. Louis.
Founded in 1967 as part of the NHL’s major expansion, the Blues have built a strong reputation for dedication, resilience, and community loyalty. The team captured its first Stanley Cup Championship in 2019, marking a historic moment for both the franchise and the city.
Although the Blues are not a publicly traded company, they are owned through a private consortium known as SLB Acquisition Holdings, LLC, composed of local investors led by Thomas H. Stillman.
Ownership Status of the St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are privately owned, meaning there is no single public owner or stock listing. Instead, ownership is distributed among a group of local investors who manage the franchise collectively.
Majority Owner
The majority and controlling owner of the team is Thomas H. Stillman, who serves as Chairman and Governor of the St. Louis Blues. He leads SLB Acquisition Holdings, LLC, which purchased the team in 2012 from former owner Dave Checketts.
About the owner Thomas H. Stillman
Thomas H. Stillman is a respected business executive, sports franchise owner, and community leader. Before becoming the majority owner of the Blues, Stillman worked as a lawyer and later entered the beer distribution business as the Chairman and CEO of Summit Distributing, one of Missouri’s largest beverage distributors.
He also served as Chief Counsel for Export Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce, demonstrating a strong background in both business and public service.
In 2012, Stillman led a local investor group to acquire the St. Louis Blues, determined to keep the franchise under local ownership. Under his leadership, the team became a model organization for community involvement and achieved its first Stanley Cup Championship in 2019.
Stillman is known for his hands-on leadership, long-term commitment, and belief in building through local values.
Thomas H. Stillman’s Net Worth
According to St. Louis Magazine’s Business 500 “Living Legends” list, Thomas H. Stillman’s estimated net worth is approximately US $3.6 billion.
His wealth primarily comes from his success in the beverage distribution industry, particularly through Summit Distributing, along with his sports franchise ownership and other local business ventures.
Although he maintains a low public profile, Stillman’s net worth reflects decades of strategic business growth and commitment to St. Louis enterprises.
Minority Owners
The ownership group also includes a number of local St. Louis business leaders and families who have invested in the franchise. Though individual stakes are not fully public, members are known to include:
| Shareholder / Entity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Donn Lux | One of the original investors from the 2012 purchase group. |
| Jerald Kent | Prominent St. Louis businessman; part of Stillman’s local group. |
| Jo Ann Taylor Kindle | Related to the Taylor family (founders of Enterprise Holdings). |
| Steve Maritz | Longtime local investor in the group. |
| John & Christopher Danforth | Part of the Danforth family ownership network. |
| Michael W. Riney | Joined the group in 2024 after acquiring a minority stake. |
The ownership structure reflects a strong “local first” approach, ensuring the Blues remain deeply rooted in the St. Louis community.
Key Shareholder Highlights
- Thomas H. Stillman led a local ownership group that purchased the team in 2012, restoring community control after years of outside ownership.
- In 2019, Stillman’s group achieved 100% local ownership, acquiring remaining minority shares.
- The team’s success, including the Stanley Cup victory in 2019, came under Stillman’s tenure — a point of pride for local fans.
- The group’s guiding principle is to keep the team in St. Louis, support local engagement, and ensure financial stability for the franchise.
Recent Developments in Ownership
- In July 2024, minority owner David Steward transferred his stake to Michael W. Riney, maintaining the team’s all-local ownership status.
- In January 2025, another internal transfer took place when Andrew Taylor sold his share to Carolyn Kindle (his niece).
- These changes demonstrate that while ownership stakes shift within families or local investors, majority control under Stillman remains unchanged.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the St. Louis Blues?
The team is owned by SLB Acquisition Holdings, LLC, led by Thomas H. Stillman as Chairman and Governor, along with several local minority investors.
2. Is the St. Louis Blues publicly traded or privately owned?
The franchise is privately owned; it is not listed on any stock exchange.
3. Who founded the current ownership group?
The current ownership group was founded and led by Thomas H. Stillman in 2012, when he acquired the team from Dave Checketts.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
Yes, but only within minority stakes. The majority control remains with Stillman, while local investors occasionally adjust or transfer their shares.
The St. Louis Blues remain a locally owned NHL franchise, led by Thomas H. Stillman, whose leadership emphasizes community, stability, and success. With an estimated net worth of $3.6 billion, Stillman continues to guide the organization with a focus on local pride, long-term growth, and on-ice excellence — values that have made the Blues one of the NHL’s most respected teams.
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