Clark Enterprises Chair Jerry Ritter said that, despite
speculation, the Blues and Kiel Center are not for sales,
according to Josh Gotthelf of the ST. LOUIS BUSINESS
JOURNAL. Clark Enterprises owns majority interest in both
the Blues and Kiel Center: Ritter: "The Blues are not for
sale. The Kiel Center is not for sale. And no one has
contacted me about either one." But Gotthelf notes
Ritter's "denial" of a deal comes amongst "increased
speculation" that Clark Enterprises is "gearing up" to sell
the team, arena, or both. A "widely circulated story" has
Emerson Electric Co. CEO Chuck Knight leading a group of
individual investors that contacted Clark Enterprises with a
"low-ball" bid. Other "rumors" for potential investors
making include N.Y. businessman Don Schupak, Ogden Corp. and
a group of individual investors, including former Blues
Chair Michael Shanahan. The Blues are valued at "around"
$75M, while sources close to Clark Enterprises said the
combination of the team and arena could range between $125-
150M (ST. LOUIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/20).
