Bettman: Senators sale 'a matter of weeks'
The sale of the Ottawa Senators is entering a new phase and could be decided in a matter of weeks, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday.
Bettman, speaking at the NHL general manager meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., said the team's sale is a "work in progress" but the first round of bidding is in the books and he's gratified to see the amount of interest in the team.
"I think it's fair to say there is robust interest in a meaningful and significant way in the Senators," he said. "I'm not prepared to share who or what, but I think everybody involved in the process feels good about the level of interest, both in terms of the number of bidders and the magnitude of interest."
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Sports business news publication Sportico reported last week that nine different groups submitted bids to buy the franchise prior to the March 6 deadline, with some valuing the team north of $900 million U.S.
Bettman said now that the first phase of bidding is over, the plan is to narrow down the number of parties.
"As we get to phase two, it's a matter of weeks," he said. "You begin the process of winnowing down the number of interested parties, and while you're reducing the number of parties, you're hopefully increasing the magnitude of their interest for those that are remaining."
The prospective owners include Montreal Canadiens minority owner Michael Andlauer and a consortium including actor Ryan Reynolds and Toronto-based real estate company The Remington Group, Sportico reported.
Reynolds announced on Wednesday that Mint Mobile, in which he holds a minority stake, is being acquired by T-Mobile in a deal with $1.35 billion.
The family of late owner Eugene Melnyk put the Senators up for sale last fall. Melnyk died in March 2022 after a lengthy illness.
Galatioti Sports Partners, a New York-based bank that provides services to the sports industry, is overseeing the sale.
Downtown move up to new owner, Bettman says
Bettman said whether the Senators move downtown or stay at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata will ultimately be the new owner's decision.
"That'll be up to the new owner as to how they want to proceed, but I do believe that there will be a good opportunity for somebody who's interested in possibly moving downtown to LeBreton Flats," he said.
The Senators and the NHL have said that part of a condition of the team's sale is that it remain in Ottawa.
The team reached a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Capital Commission last year aimed at putting an arena at LeBreton Flats, just west of downtown Ottawa. Lease negotiations for the land are ongoing, with a goal of signing a long-term lease agreement by this fall.
"Whether or not they want to do that, obviously there's a lot that has to be done, including with the NCC or the city of Ottawa," Bettman said Wednesday. "But ultimately whether or not a new owner wants to stay in the existing arena or move downtown is a decision they'll get to make.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.