St. Joseph Goats’ majority owner Steve Craig reflects on TAL title win
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The local entrepreneur who got involved with the St. Joseph Goats shortly after the team arrived in town reflected on how he believes the team is helping the city through its recent Arena League title win.
Originally known as the Kansas City Goats when the Arena League and teams were announced in 2023, the team lasted less than a year in its original city. After a successful run in the Arena League playoffs in the team's first season in 2024, the team moved to St. Joseph.
Although the team's goat mascot, with its suit and hat, pays tribute to Tom Pendergast, a Kansas City politician who helped build the team's original home field, Municipal Auditorium, the team stayed the same when it began calling the Civic Arena in Downtown St. Joseph home.
Shortly into the 2025 season, well-known area native Steve Craig took majority ownership of the team. According to Craig, at the time of purchasing the Goats, the Arena League was in control of the team after a former owner decided to back out.
Craig knew the area's love of football throughout its decade-long plus host duties to the Kansas City Chiefs for training camp, along with its dedicated fan bases to local Division II football programs, that the Goats would make it if given the proper financial resources.
"I really didn't want to see the town lose the team," Craig told KQ2. "So I said I was willing to put some money up for it. Let's give it a try. What's the worst that can happen? Lose some money, but that's okay. We'll give it a try."
Despite a well-fought first year on the field at the Civic Arena, the Goats missed out on the Arena League playoffs. However, the team seemed to bounce back in 2026 by making the playoffs and winning the Arena League Championship against the Arkansas Diamonds.
"Having a team here, having an amenity, like a professional team where you can have some entertainment. Granted, we only play four home games a year. This time we got to play five because we were in the playoffs. But it's a fun team to watch and follow. "
Despite obviously loving the team's on-field success in 2026 with the TAL Arenamania win, Craig's fascination with the team also comes from the Arena League's style of play.
"I always tell people, if they come to the game with me, you know, it's nice to be sitting close to the field, but be prepared. You know, a pass may end up over here. A player may end up on this table. So you've got to pay attention to the game because there's a lot of stuff moving."
The St. Joseph Goats are due back at the Civic Arena in Downtown St. Joseph in 2027, with the season starting around the same time as the previous two years. For the latest on the team, click here for their Facebook page.
