By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – The man who's buying the St. Louis Blues says he plans to keep the hockey team in St. Louis.
Owners Bill and Nancy Laurie put the team on the market in June, following financial losses of $60 million.
Buyer Dave Checketts of Sports Capital Partners is paying $150 million for the franchise. He said he expects to make money and has no plans to move the team, even after its Savvis Center lease expires in five years.
"Make no mistake. It's all going to be in St. Louis," Checketts said. "We're very committed to this team in St. Louis. And any notion that we bought this to go elsewhere is silly at this point."
The deal still needs NHL approval.
This has been the worst season in decades for the Blues. It is the first time since 1979 that they will not go to the playoffs.