---
title: "Cardinals Era Ends: Bill DeWitt III Named CEO as Next Generation Takes Control"
description: "St. Louis Cardinals formally hand day-to-day control to Bill DeWitt III and Anuk Karunaratne in the biggest leadership shift in 30 years."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/cardinals-elevate-bill-dewitt-iii-and-anuk-karunaratne-to-to-a026cd06
published: 2026-06-26T02:38:39.232+00:00
updated: 2026-06-26T02:38:39.232+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["football"]
---

# Cardinals Era Ends: Bill DeWitt III Named CEO as Next Generation Takes Control

> St. Louis Cardinals formally hand day-to-day control to Bill DeWitt III and Anuk Karunaratne in the biggest leadership shift in 30 years.

The St.

Louis Cardinals have formally handed day-to-day control of the franchise to the next generation, naming Bill DeWitt III as chief executive officer and promoting Anuk Karunaratne to club president in the most significant leadership change since the DeWitt family took over 30 years ago.

Bill DeWitt Jr., who has served as the club's principal owner and CEO since the current ownership group purchased the team, will remain as chairman and continue to weigh in on major decisions.

But the daily leadership of both baseball and business operations now falls to his son, Bill DeWitt III, who steps into the CEO role with full oversight of the organization's core functions.

Anuk Karunaratne, a longtime Cardinals executive, is elevated to club president with a focus on business initiatives, creating a two-person leadership team that will steer the franchise's future.

The announcement was made at a press conference at Busch Stadium, where the club's top executives gathered to outline the new structure.

The moves formalize a succession plan that has been taking shape for years, as Bill DeWitt III increasingly took on high-level responsibilities within the front office.

Now the transition is official, with the younger DeWitt assuming the title and authority that accompany the CEO position while his father steps back from day-to-day operations. "This is about ensuring this franchise is positioned for success for the next 30 years and beyond," Bill DeWitt III said at the event, signaling that while the family's ownership stake remains unchanged, the operational baton has been passed.

Bill DeWitt Jr. expressed confidence in the new leadership team, noting that the organization is in strong hands.

What's next: Bill DeWitt III and Anuk Karunaratne will immediately begin operating in their new roles, with the front office structure expected to remain stable as the franchise enters a new chapter under its next-generation leadership.

## Why this matters

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of Major League Baseball's most iconic franchises, and a generational shift at the top carries weight well beyond St. Louis. Bill DeWitt III now holds operational authority over both the baseball and business sides of the organization, meaning roster decisions, strategic direction, and long-term planning will increasingly reflect a new set of priorities. For fans, it signals that the DeWitt family is building toward the future while keeping the ownership intact — a rare moment of institutional change in a sport where dynastic control often outlasts competitive cycles.

## Frequently asked

### What role will Bill DeWitt Jr. have after the transition?

Bill DeWitt Jr. will remain as chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals and stay involved in major organizational decisions, but he is stepping back from day-to-day operational leadership of the franchise.

### What is Anuk Karunaratne's new role with the Cardinals?

Anuk Karunaratne has been promoted to club president, with a focus on leading the Cardinals' business initiatives and operations alongside CEO Bill DeWitt III.

### How long has the DeWitt family owned the St. Louis Cardinals?

The current ownership group led by Bill DeWitt Jr. has controlled the franchise for approximately 30 years, making this the most significant leadership change sin