Bill Haslam, a 63-year-old billionaire who held office as governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019, is reportedly nearing a deal to purchase the Nashville Predators.
Eben Novy-Williams, a sports business reporter for Sportico, broke the news of the impending transaction on Thursday evening. Sportico values the Predators at $680 million, the 26th-highest figure in the National Hockey League.
BREAKING: The buyer nearing a deal to purchase the Nashville Predators is former Tennessee governor @BillHaslam, brother of Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.
— Eben Novy-Williams (@novy_williams) June 17, 2022
We value the @PredsNHL at $680 million. Forbes says Bill Haslam is worth $2.3 billion. https://t.co/Mkdn4qiegl
Forbes estimates Haslam’s net worth to be $2.3 billion. His family founded the Pilot Flying J chain of truck stops, which operates across the United States and Canada.
Jimmy Haslam, Bill’s older brother, has owned the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League since 2012. Both Haslam brothers were born in Knoxville, TN.
Predators Holdings, LLC currently manages operations of the NHL franchise, with Herbert Fritch serving as chairman. More than a dozen individuals own stakes in the Predators under the existing ownership hierarchy.
The Predators also own and operate Bridgestone Arena, their home venue in downtown Nashville. During the 2021–22 season, the Predators were one of just seven NHL teams (along with Vegas, Washington, Minnesota, Seattle, Boston, and Tampa Bay) to average 100% attendance over their 41 home games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the most recent NHL team to change hands, with Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, and other teams) acquiring a controlling interest in the club last December.