Blues Chair Dave Checketts in the coming weeks “plans to have the number of parties interested in purchasing the team narrowed to one potential buyer,” according to Jeremy Rutherford of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Checketts yesterday said, “It’s too early for that (now), but we’ll be there shortly. … We expect to have an orderly sale process and it’ll be done by the start of the season." Game Plan LLC Founder Robert Caporale, whose firm is conducting the sale, indicated that the Blues have five “very interested parties” in the mix. Blues minority Owner Tom Stillman “has a group that remains interested in buying the team.” Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer, who recently retracted a bid to buy the Coyotes, also has “expressed interest in the club.” The asking price for the Blues, the Scottrade Center lease and the AHL Peoria Rivermen “has not been disclosed.” But Checketts yesterday said, “It’s a healthy price because we have a healthy franchise. I don’t want to spend my time justifying the sale price. It is what it is.” In addition, Rutherford notes Checketts, a former Knicks and Jazz exec, “still has his sights set on the NBA.” Asked if he would return to basketball, Checketts replied, “Some day, yes” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/21).
