Story perspectives

Cardinals Name DeWitt III CEO, Shift Ownership

6/25/2026

Summary

DeWitt III CEO

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Bill DeWitt III as CEO, Bill DeWitt II as chairman and principal owner, and Anuk Karunaratne as president of business operations at a conference with Chaim Bloom, marking the step toward transferring ownership to DeWitt III.
Karunaratne, a 2023 Sports Business Journal “40 under 40”, joined from the Toronto Blue Jays in January 2024.
DeWitt III will become chairman and principal owner, extending family involvement began in 1913 and his father’s tenure since 1995.

Summary

DeWitt III Takes Over

Bill DeWitt Jr., 84, will step back from daily operations and hand management to his son, DeWitt III.
The transition, described as smooth and unlikely to worry fans, leaves the organization’s long-term vision unchanged.
DeWitt III, at a “perfect age” for a long tenure, is the third-generation owner who hints at a fourth and reinforces the club’s aim to keep ownership in the DeWitt family.

Summary

Cardinals Revamp

The Cardinals sit 42-35, second in the NL Central, surprising many.
Attendance has fallen sharply after three seasons without playoffs, prompting a game-day revamp.
Anuk Karunaratne is prioritizing fan-experience modernization with post-game concerts slated for 2025.
Ownership has acknowledged a rapid decline in player development, signaled broader reforms, and may make the club a buyer at the trade deadline.

Summary

Karunaratne Named

The Cardinals named Anuk Karunaratne president of business operations to renegotiate TV contracts after Regional Sports Network went bankrupt in 2023.
The succession plan speeds up Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village projects, expected to generate revenue and improve the surrounding community.
At 43, Karunaratne brings 10 years of experience, including a stint as executive vice president of business operations for Toronto Blue Jays, positioning him to expand corporate partnerships for Cardinals.

History

Historical Context

In 1920 automobile dealer Sam Breadon bought the Cardinals, ending debt and launching the farm system that powered six World Series titles. When financial pressure threatened the club in 1953, Anheuser-Busch purchased it for $3.75 million, securing St. Louis and prompting stadium upgrades. The DeWitt family’s 2026 CEO transition echoes those earlier ownership shifts, underscoring a century-long pattern of corporate stewardship.

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DeWitt III CEO

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Bill DeWitt III as CEO, Bill DeWitt II as chairman and principal owner, and Anuk Karunaratne as president of business operations at a conference with Chaim Bloom, marking the step toward transferring ownership to DeWitt III.
Karunaratne, a 2023 Sports Business Journal “40 under 40”, joined from the Toronto Blue Jays in January 2024.
DeWitt III will become chairman and principal owner, extending family involvement began in 1913 and his father’s tenure since 1995.

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