Missouri-born billionaire David Hoffmann has publicly stated that he would be interested in purchasing the St. Louis Cardinals if the franchise were ever made available, according to a recent report from the St. Louis Business Journal.
Hoffmann shared his thoughts during the Business Journal’s Advance STL event on Thursday, where he openly discussed his long-term ambitions in professional sports ownership.
Hoffmann, who grew up in Washington, Missouri, made it clear that acquiring a Major League Baseball team—specifically the Cardinals—has been part of his broader vision. His family recently gained a controlling interest in the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, and Hoffmann suggested that deal represents only the beginning. During the event, he explained that the plan is to pay off the Penguins acquisition and eventually expand into baseball ownership, ideally with St. Louis’s longtime franchise.
Despite his interest, Hoffmann acknowledged that he has not had any direct conversations with the Cardinals’ ownership group, led by the DeWitt family. When asked whether he believed the team might be for sale, Hoffmann admitted that everyone he has spoken to has said otherwise. Those statements align with comments previously made by Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., who reiterated during the team’s Winter Warm-Up event that there are no plans to sell the franchise now or in the foreseeable future.
The Cardinals organization reinforced that stance on Friday. In a statement provided to FOX 2 on behalf of team president Bill DeWitt III, the club emphasized that the DeWitt family remains fully committed to St. Louis and has no intention of selling the team.
Whether Hoffmann’s public interest ever turns into a legitimate opportunity remains uncertain. Still, his growing involvement in professional sports has drawn attention. According to Forbes, Hoffmann’s estimated net worth is $2.5 billion, ranking him among the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Hoffmann’s path to success began in Missouri. His father worked in the dairy industry, and Hoffmann went on to graduate from the University of Central Missouri. In 1989, he founded DHR International, an executive search firm that became the foundation of his wealth and remains under his ownership today.
Over the years, Hoffmann has expanded his business portfolio significantly. He owns interests in real estate developments, media companies, and professional sports organizations. His family also controls numerous newspaper properties and maintains a stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins, pending final approval from the NHL’s Board of Governors.
In recent years, Hoffmann has explored ambitious development projects closer to home. A March 2025 St. Louis Post-Dispatch report revealed plans for a $100 million investment aimed at transforming Augusta, Missouri, into a major wine and tourism destination similar to California’s Napa Valley. However, those plans were paused following permitting issues and other challenges.
In December 2025, Hoffmann made another high-profile move by investing $50 million in Lee Enterprises, the parent company of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, securing an ownership stake and expressing interest in strengthening digital subscriptions.
Currently, Hoffmann serves as founder and chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, which oversees more than 200 brands and employs over 11,000 people worldwide.
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