Greenberg family would 'likely participate' in new Senators ownership group
One of Ottawa’s most prominent real estate executives said he isn’t ruling out being part of a possible new ownership group of the Ottawa Senators.
Roger Greenberg, the executive chairman of Minto Group, said his family would “likely participate” in possible new ownership if the team goes up for sale.
However, he cautioned that the family of the late Eugene Melnyk, who owned the team for nearly 20 years until his death last month, needs to decide to sell before anything else happens.
“It’s amazing the number of people that speak to me and ask me if we will,” Greenberg told CTV News on Tuesday. “I guess it’s the logical extension of having a successful group with OSEG that I participate with,” he said.
“First things have to come first, and that’s a decision by the family that they’re going to sell the team. Because until that happens, nothing can really happen.
“So let’s get that decision first and then we’ll see where things go from there.”
Melnyk died last month at age 62 after a lengthy illness. Melnyk’s two daughters are in their early 20s and it is not known whether they want to sell the franchise.
The Greenberg family is one of Ottawa’s most prominent in both philanthropy and sport. They were involved with the original Ottawa Senators when the team first came to the city in 1992.
“We were a small ownership group then. We participated with Rod Bryden when he wanted to buy the team out of bankruptcy. Ultimately that bid did not come through. And we’re heavily involved in sports at Lansdowne.
“So yes, we’d likely participate, if that’s something that’s feasible, when the time comes,” Greenberg said.
Greenberg is the executive chairman of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, which owns and operates the Redblacks and 67’s.
He was speaking after the launch of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s new $500-million fundraising campaign to help build the new Civic campus on Carling Avenue.
The campaign is the largest in the city’s history. Greenberg and his siblings and cousin are donating $25 million, the single-largest health-care donation in the city’s history.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.