When Tom Gaglardi stepped in and bought the Dallas Stars back in 2011, he wasn’t exactly catching a franchise on the rise.
The team was bankrupt, the fanbase was hanging on by a thread, and people weren’t even sure hockey was going to last in Texas. But Gaglardi saw something worth saving and dropped $240 million on a prayer.
A Family Legacy That Acquired the Dallas Stars
Now, here we are in 2025. That gamble? It paid off. Big time.
According to Forbes, the team is now worth about $2 billion. Not bad for a franchise that once looked like it might fold.
Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi is the head of Northland Properties, a family-run company out of Vancouver. If you’ve stayed at a Sandman Hotel, eaten at Moxie’s, or had a steak at Chop, you’ve crossed paths with one of his businesses.
Northland’s reach goes beyond Canada, too. They’ve got properties and projects across the U.S. and even in the U.K.
The Gaglardi story really begins with Tom’s dad, Bob. Back in ’63, Bob borrowed $5,000 and opened a small hotel in British Columbia. One hotel turned into two, and slowly, without any flashy headlines or overnight miracles, it became a major player in the Canadian hospitality game.
Tom didn’t just get handed the keys and call himself boss. He came up through the company the old-school way, working different jobs, learning every side of the operation. By 26, he was running the show. Under his watch, the company expanded into restaurants, resorts, and, eventually, professional sports.
A Deep Commitment to the Game
Buying the Dallas Stars wasn’t just a business move. It was personal. Tom Gaglardi is a die-hard hockey fan, and when he took over, he didn’t waste a second. He brought in Jim Lites and Jim Nill, two guys who know the league inside out, to help right the ship. Then came a full rebrand: new uniforms, fresh logo, and a stronger identity that felt more “Dallas.”
But here’s what sets him apart: Gaglardi doesn’t just care about the NHL team. He also owns the Texas Stars in the AHL and co-owns the Kamloops Blazers back home in British Columbia. That’s his hometown squad, and he’s been tied to it since he was a kid. For him, it’s not just about winning at the top, it’s about growing the game from the ground up.
At home, it’s all hockey, all the time. Tom and his wife, Brittney, have three sons who all play the game competitively. Safe to say, this isn’t just a line item in a portfolio. Hockey’s part of who they are.
These days, the Dallas Stars are in solid shape. They play at the American Airlines Center, right in the heart of downtown Dallas. It’s a shared home with the Mavericks and holds just over 18,000 fans – a big driver for team revenue.
Congratulations to Tom Gaglardi and Dallas Stars on making it to third round. Fun fact: Tom Gaglardi has owned the Stars for 5 less years than the Aquilini family owned the Canucks. Yet, Mr. Gaglardi has made the western conference finals 3 times while the Canucks made it 1X.
— Arpan (@arpan_on_BC)
The franchise’s roots go back to 1967 when they started out as the Minnesota North Stars. The team moved to Texas in ’93, and just six years later, in ’99, they brought home the Stanley Cup. Legends like Mike Modano, Brett Hull, and Ed Belfour have worn the Star.
Under Gaglardi, the Stars have become one of the NHL’s more profitable teams. In the 2022–23 season, they reportedly made $230 million in revenue and walked away with $59 million in profit. Payroll sat at $99 million, and gate receipts pulled in $81 million. Not too shabby.
Gaglardi’s still hands-on. He works closely with CEO Brad Alberts, and the goal is clear: keep building. Whether it’s winning games or growing the fanbase, they’re in it for the long haul.
