Blues sold to Stillman

May 9, 2012 - 4:51 PM New York, NY (Sports Network) - A group of St. Louis investors led by Tom Stillman has purchased the Blues.

The National Hockey League's Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale, which became official on Wednesday.

Stillman, who has been a minority owner of the Blues since 2007, becomes the eighth owner of the Blues since the franchise's inception, following Dave Checketts/SCP Worldwide (2006-present), Bill Laurie (1999-2006), Kiel Center Partners (1991-1999), Mike Shanahan (1986-1991), Harry Ornest (1983-1986), Ralston Purina (1977-1983) and the Salomon family (1966-1977).

Stillman is also CEO of Summit Distributing, a St. Louis-based beer distributor, and his group will be paying about $130 million for the Blues, their Peoria Rivermen affiliate of the American Hockey League and "significant interest" in the Peabody Opera House.

Checketts' group was part of Chicago-area businessman Matthew Hulsizer's bid to buy the team, but the NHL terminated the arrangement in January due to financial issues.