Background of St. Louis Cardinals Ownership
The St. Louis Cardinals have been around since 1882, when Chris Von der Ahe purchased the then-struggling team. Since then, the Cardinals have seen many owners come and go, often times with ownership changing hands multiple times. Today, the St. Louis Cardinals have several owners, including a handful of families and a few individuals.
The majority of the ownership of the St. Louis Cardinals is held by three families: the DeWitt family, the Duchossois family, and the Walton family.
The DeWitt family, led by Bill DeWitt Jr., is the largest shareholder of the St. Louis Cardinals, owning approximately 50 percent of the team. Bill DeWitt Jr. is the current chairman and CEO of the Cardinals and has been since 1996.
The Duchossois family, led by Richard Duchossois, owns approximately 25 percent of the team. The Duchossois family is the second-largest shareholder of the St. Louis Cardinals and has been involved in the ownership of the team since 1996.
The Walton family, led by Jim Walton and Rob Walton, owns approximately 20 percent of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Walton family, who also owns the Arkansas-based Walmart Corporation, has been involved in the ownership of the team since 1996.
The remaining 5 percent of the St. Louis Cardinals is owned by various minor shareholders. While the exact number of minor shareholders is unknown, some of the individuals and families who are believed to be involved in the ownership of the team include:
- Andrew Baur: Andrew Baur is the president of the St. Louis Cardinals and is believed to own a small stake in the team.
- Jim Kavanaugh: Jim Kavanaugh is the vice chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals and is believed to own a small stake in the team.
- The Busch family: The Busch family, who owned the St. Louis Cardinals from 1953 to 1996, are believed to still own a small stake in the team.
- The Matheny family: The Matheny family, who owned the St. Louis Cardinals from 1897 to 1953, are believed to still own a small stake in the team.
- The Schoendienst family: The Schoendienst family, who owned the St. Louis Cardinals from 1967 to 1977, are believed to still own a small stake in the team.
Who Has Controlled the St. Louis Cardinals?
Since 1882, the St. Louis Cardinals have had a total of seven owners, with the majority of the ownership held by three families. The following is a brief timeline of the ownership of the St. Louis Cardinals:
- Chris Von der Ahe: 1882-1889
- Stanley Robison: 1889-1911
- Helen Britton: 1911-1919
- Sam Breadon: 1919-1953
- Anheuser-Busch: 1953-1996
- William DeWitt Jr.: 1996-Present
How Does the St. Louis Cardinals Ownership Structure Work?
The St. Louis Cardinals ownership is split into three distinct groups: the majority shareholder, the minority shareholder, and the board of directors.
The majority shareholder is the DeWitt family, who owns 50 percent of the team. The DeWitt family has the right to make decisions concerning the team and its operations and also has the right to appoint the chairman and CEO of the team.
The minority shareholders, which includes the Duchossois family, the Walton family, and the various other minor shareholders, own a combined 50 percent of the team. The minority shareholders have the right to vote on matters concerning the team, and can also appoint members to the board of directors.
The board of directors consists of four members and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the team. The board of directors is appointed by the majority and minority shareholders and is responsible for making decisions regarding the team’s finances, personnel, and operations.
What Are the Benefits of Owning the St. Louis Cardinals?
Owning the St. Louis Cardinals is an incredibly lucrative business opportunity. As the team is one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball, owning the St. Louis Cardinals has a number of financial benefits, including:
- Revenue Streams: The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most profitable teams in baseball, generating revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, television rights, sponsorships, and other sources.
- Tax Benefits: As a professional sports team, the St. Louis Cardinals are eligible for a variety of tax benefits, including tax deductions for certain expenses and tax credits for certain investments.
- Appreciation: The value of the St. Louis Cardinals has been steadily increasing over time, meaning that owners of the team can look forward to a significant return on their investment.
How Much Money Does the St. Louis Cardinals Make?
The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most profitable teams in Major League Baseball, generating an estimated $290 million in revenue in 2017. The majority of the team’s revenue comes from ticket sales and television rights, with the team also generating revenue from merchandise sales, sponsorships, and other sources.
How Much Are the St. Louis Cardinals Worth?
The St. Louis Cardinals are estimated to be worth approximately $2 billion. This makes the St. Louis Cardinals the sixth most valuable team in Major League Baseball, behind the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants.
Conclusion
The St. Louis Cardinals have a total of seven owners, with the majority of the ownership held by three families: the DeWitt family, the Duchossois family, and the Walton family. The remaining 5 percent of the team is owned by various minor shareholders, including the Busch family, the Matheny family, and the Schoendienst family. Owning the St. Louis Cardinals is an incredibly lucrative business opportunity, with the team generating an estimated $290 million in revenue in 2017 and being valued at approximately $2 billion.