Four groups submit bids to buy Ottawa Senators: reports
Four groups submitted bids to buy the Ottawa Senators by Monday's deadline, with at least one offer of $1 billion U.S., multiple reports said.
Of the half-a-dozen groups that had expressed serious interest in the franchise, four of them submitted bids by Monday's 5 p.m. deadline, according to reports by Postmedia and Sportico.
Postmedia reported that three of the bids came from Toronto-area businessmen: Michael Andlauer, Jeffrey and Michael Kimel, and Steve Apostolopoulos. Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Neko Sparks also submitted a bid.
The bids will now be combed over by New York-based Galatioto Sports Partners, which is running the sale for the family of late owner Eugene Melnyk. The owners must be approved by the NHL's board of governors.
The sale of the team has attracted interest and some high-powered celebrity names.
The Sparks group has offered a share of the franchise to Indigenous groups if they are successful, CTV News confirmed Monday. Rapper and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg, who is part of the Sparks bid, posted a video on social media Monday in which he gave "a shout out to the First Nations of Canada."
Rapper the Weeknd is also reportedly part of the Kimels' bid.
Ryan Reynolds, who had aligned himself with Toronto-based real estate company the Remington Group, was not among the bidders, reports said.
That group reportedly pulled out of the process at the 11th hour because their request for an exclusive negotiating window with the National Capital Commission to secure more land for a downtown arena was rejected.
WHO ARE THE BIDDERS?
Andlauer is already a member of the NHL's board of governors as a minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens. He would have to sell his share in the Habs if he is the successful in buying the Senators.
The former beer league goalie is the founder and CEO of Andlauer Healthcare Group, which handles logistics in the pharmaceutical and health care industries.
The Kimel brothers are real estate developers who are former minority owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeffrey Kimel is the president and CEO of Harlo Capital, a Toronto-based private equity firm. Michael Kimel runs Chase Hospitality Group, a restaurant, catering and events company.
Sparks is an L.A.-based entrepreneur who is the chief technology officer at Pixel Lime, an AI and immersive technology company. His LinkedIn profile says he has "15 years experience in emerging tech, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, augmented reality, and interactive media."
If his group wins, they would become the first-ever Black-led ownership of an NHL franchise.
Apostolopoulos is a billionaire businessman who is the managing partner of Triple Group of Companies, a real estate firm, and Six Ventures, a private equity firm.
He submitted a $6 billion U.S. bid to buy the Washington Commanders.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.