BREAKING: Predators Confirm Bill Haslam’s Transition As Organization’s Majority Owner

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Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators

After previous reports from Sportico and Axios, the Nashville Predators have officially announced that former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam is buying the majority stake in the organization’s ownership group from current chairman Herb Fritch.

Discussions have proceeded smoothly, and definitive documents are being drafted, according to the Predators.

Upon the execution of definitive documents and securing all necessary approvals within the organization and the NHL, Haslam is expected to become a minority owner in the next few months. Within the next few years, through a multi-phased purchase transaction, Haslam will become the club’s majority owner.

“From the time our ownership group, made up of day one season ticket holders, gathered together in 2007 to purchase and guarantee the franchise’s future in Nashville, the goal has been to ensure that stewardship of the team is in strong local hands,” says Sean Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Predators and Bridgestone Arena. “The pending addition of Governor Haslam to the ownership group solidifies that local stewardship for years to come, with the shared philosophy for making Smashville the most unique sports market in our league and country as our players and coaches compete for the Stanley Cup each season. We are excited and appreciative that he has agreed to join the ownership team.”

In December of 2007, Predators Holdings LLC purchased the Nashville Predators and Powers Management–the management company that operates Bridgestone Arena–and assumed control over the day-to-day operation of the National Hockey League team and Bridgestone Arena.

Fritch currently serves as Chairman of the Predators, a position he assumed in January 2019, succeeding Tom Cigarran.

Steven Boero
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