Passing of the Torch: Fun Will Continue as Goldklang Group Announces Sale of St. Paul Saints to Diamond Baseball Holdings

March 15, 2023 – International League (IL) – St. Paul Saints News Release

ST. PAUL, MN – In 1992, Marv Goldklang, Mike Veeck, and Bill Murray had the wild idea of bringing a baseball team into the Twin Cities, a market that already had a Major League team in the Minnesota Twins. The epitaph of that team was already written before they played their first game in June, 1993. Yet, more than 30 years later, the St. Paul Saints defied all expectations by becoming one of the most successful Minor League teams in the country with their unique brand of entertainment. That ownership, the Goldklang Group, has had a remarkable run and is now passing the baton with the sale of the Saints to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH).

Now entering its third season as the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, the Saints will continue forward under the management of the current front office, whose executive staff collectively carries nearly 100 years of experience with the organization. Executive Vice President/General Manager Derek Sharrer, who has been at the helm for two decades, will continue to lead the staff in season number 31 of the franchise’s history.

The front office staff’s extensive experience, along with DBH’s deep baseball knowledge, assures the Saints’ stability in the Twin Cities market for years to come. DBH currently owns 13 Minor League affiliates across the country. Those teams each maintain their individual character and connection to the community through fan engagement and local partnerships, while also tapping into additional growth opportunities derived from DBH’s national scale and reach. DBH works directly with MLB on value creation initiatives like sponsorship and merchandising, and also pursues investment in technological innovation to further advance the fan, player and community experience.

CEO of DBH, Peter Freund, has known Goldklang and Veeck for more than 15 years. Goldklang helped introduce Freund to the world of Minor League Baseball and he has been a co-owner of the Charleston RiverDogs, a Goldklang Group owned team.

“When Mike, Bill, Van Schley, and I arrived in St. Paul more than 30 years ago, we came with a vision both to bring back a legendary baseball franchise with a history spanning more than 100 years, and to re-imagine the connection between the game of baseball and a community,” said Saints Chairman/CEO, Marv Goldklang. “While I believe we have remained true to that vision during our stewardship of the Saints, there are…