At least 15 groups have filed applications to buy the Ottawa Senators, NHL commissioner says
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says more than a dozen groups have filed applications to buy the Ottawa Senators, and potential buyers will submit their bids soon to purchase the NHL club.
Bettman provided an update on the process to sell the Senators and Canadian Tire Centre ahead of Saturday's NHL All-Star Game in Florida.
"There are 15 or more people or groups of people who have filed applications, the data room was open and my guess is at some point in the next few weeks or so there will be a preliminary cut based on preliminary bids," Bettman said.
The board of directors for Senators Sports and Entertainment announced in November it was initiating the process for selling the club, retaining New York-based bank Galatioto Sports Partners to oversee the sale.
Galatioto Sports Partners opened a due-diligence website last month, allowing bidders that signed a non-disclosure agreement to view the Senators finances as part of the sale process.
The Senators said in November that a condition of any sale will be that the team remains in Ottawa. On Saturday, Bettman repeated that the Senators will remain in Ottawa, but the new owners will have a chance to move the team to LeBreton Flats.
"I want to be clear that whoever buys this club is doing so to keep it in Ottawa; so I say that so there is no speculation on the point," Bettman said.
"And there may be a great opportunity to take the team downtown to LeBreton Flats which I think makes this an even more exciting opportunity to own a team in the nation's capital."
Actor Ryan Reynolds has expressed an interest in being part of a group buying the Ottawa Senators. Other people reportedly interested in buying the club include Toronto businessman Michael Andlauer, Toronto-based brothers Jeffrey and Michael Kimel and Farm Boy co-CEO Jeff York.
LEBRETON FLATS
The head of the National Capital Commission said last month he's optimistic a long-term lease will be finalized with the Senators for an arena at LeBreton Flats this fall, even with the franchise up for sale.
NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said "conversations and the process continues" with the Senators senior management team.
Last June, the NCC announced it reached a memorandum of understanding with a consortium led by the Senators to build an arena surrounded by mixed-use development on the six-acre parcel of land west of downtown Ottawa.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Unable to leave Syria, mothers of Canadian children forfeit repatriation to keep their families together
In a choice forced upon them by the Canadian government, four mothers have made the agonizing decision to forfeit an opportunity to repatriate their children from open air prisons in northeast Syria.

MP Han Dong issues libel notice to Global News over China interference reporting
Lawyers representing Toronto MP Han Dong served Global News with a libel notice on Friday over reports that alleged he spoke to a Chinese diplomat in February 2021 about delaying the release of the two Michaels, and that he was a 'witting affiliate' of Chinese interference networks – allegations that Dong denies.
Federal minimum wage, taxes on alcohol: Here's what's changing in Canada April 1
The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 per hour to $16.65, and taxes are going up on gas and alcohol nationwide starting April 1.
Here's what to expect from the Canadian cottage market this year
A recent report from Royal LePage is predicting a drop in prices for Canadian cabins and cottages this year as demand softens from economic uncertainty and low housing stock.
Interim RCMP commissioner would support Criminal Code changes for stricter gun laws
Interim RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme says he would support the Criminal Code changes recommended in the Mass Casualty Commission report to implement stricter gun laws.
Akwesasne: Bodies of two more migrants found, bring total dead to eight
Police say the bodies of eight migrants have been retrieved from the waters off the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne, straddling the Canada - U.S. border. The people whose bodies were recovered Thursday and Friday consisted of two families of Romanian and Indian origins who were likely trying to enter the U.S. illegally, police said Friday.
Donald Trump facing at least one felony charge in New York case: AP sources
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offence, in the indictment handed down by a Manhattan grand jury, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday.
A 106-year-old from the Philippines is Vogue's oldest ever cover model
Vogue Philippines has revealed Apo Whang-Od as the cover star of its April issue, a move that makes the 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Philippines the oldest person ever to appear on the front of Vogue.
Trudeau defends appointment of cabinet minister's sister-in-law as interim ethics commissioner
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending the appointment of senior Liberal cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc's sister-in-law as Canada's interim ethics commissioner.