It Nice To Be Wanted

There is nothing more exciting in sports than ownership news!

With Dave Checketts' efforts to replace the Blues' major investor still unresolved, an offer has been made to purchase the team outright from Checketts, multiple sources have told the Post-Dispatch.

St. Louis businessman Tom Stillman, who is already a minority owner, is part of a group that presented a formal bid to Checketts' company, SCP Worldwide, to take control of the club. This is the only known offer for the team, an offer sources said was far less than the estimated value of the franchise.

In 2010, Forbes Magazine valued the Blues at $165 million, approximately $15 million more than Checketts paid for the team and the lease on Scottrade Center in 2006.

SCP has rejected the bid from Stillman's group and will continue seeking financial support to replace the Blues' major investor, TowerBrook Capital Partners, and maintain control of the club. It's believed by sources that Checketts would step aside if he was offered his asking price, which is not known at this time, but based on the recent bid he is not ready to sell.

Given that we have had times when the Blues were for sale and no potential local owners were even on the radar, this isn't that bad. Sure there is some uncertainty here, but there is time to get this all sorted out before any more big money decisions need to be made.

Checketts, who possibly kept the Blues from relocating when he took control of the franchise in 2006, has been seen as a loyal and engaging owner.

However, with the Blues in 13th place in the Western Conference standings, a fan base that has sold out 33 consecutive home games is now questioning the viability of an ownership group that couldn't afford to keep the club afloat during a rash of injuries to key players.

I think this is pretty much wrong. Knowledgeable fans are aware of how this team is being built, through player development. So many teams were within striking distance of the playoffs this year there were fewer sellers, so there was a much smaller pool of add-on players available. When you look at the crazy price the Kings paid for Justin Penner I for one am glad the Blues didn't try to make that kind of move.

That being said if the Blues are not willing to make a move during the free agency days of the summer rumbles will increase. But, generally Blues fans are willing to stick with the plan, as long as there continues to be a plan.