Ottawa Senators putting up the For Sale sign shouldn’t come as a surprise.
• Also read: Ottawa Senators for sale?
Anna and Olivia, the two heirs to the founding after the death of Eugene Melnyk, hired a Los Angeles company to scout the market.
Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL decision makers know well that ultimately we must come to this conclusion.
The two young women certainly have other projects with which they can use their knowledge in the business world and continue to grow their father’s empire.
During the off-season, they allowed the team’s hockey bosses to make costly decisions to add shine to a franchise that’s been struggling to capture fan interest for too long.
However, the colossal work done by general manager Pierre Dorion, among others, has given fans hope. Prior to the loss of Josh Norris, the roster’s top center, we honestly believed the Senators would get a date for the spring tournament.
Now it’s getting harder.
Influence of the two young people
Considering how recent events have affected the two young owners, it’s safe to assume that they’ve probably been thinking about selling the apprenticeship since the day they took over the company.
The National League has been closely monitoring the company’s operations for the past several months. The NHL is primarily looking for owners who have important projects.
What are Olivia and Anna Melnyk’s goals?
Do you intend to run your business while remaining involved in the world of sports?
If you have decided to enlist the help of a company that specializes in financial transactions with sports owners, you have to keep in mind that they want to direct their future in areas other than sports.
Therefore, the prospect of a change of address of “Sens” should be considered for new investors.
A desire
Various sources indicate that there will be a promise in the deed of sale that the team will remain in Ottawa. It’s plausible. We often want to assure laypeople that nothing will change in the company and that the company will remain in the same place.
A wishful thinking that quickly gets lost in negotiations between prospective buyers and sellers.
Assuming that Quebec hockey fans are following this topic with particular interest, we can ask the question, “Is it permissible to dream?” »
Remembering Michel Therrien’s words on TVA Sports on Saturday night, we might as well forget that, as Geoff Molson, the Canadian’s owner, would have mentioned to his close guard a couple of years ago that he hadn’t seen it pleased forward to the return of the Nordiques.
But have you thought of the reactions it would provoke if he blocked such a project? What impact would this have on certain CH partners?
Have we forgotten what happened in Winnipeg 40 years ago?
The final word to Bettman
However, Bettman is the most influential figure in professional ice hockey. The members of the Board of Governors are his employers, except when they consult their confidant’s hunt list, and he always gets carte blanche.
So if the commissioner wants a team in Quebec, we can bet he’ll win his case. But does he really want that?
We can always argue that he didn’t argue with Treasury Secretary Eric Girard simply for the fun of it. That he wanted to get the most relevant information on the record of a National League ice hockey return to Quebec.
The minister undoubtedly had a list of investors, Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor, and well-known businessmen such as Alain Bouchard of Couche-Tard are undoubtedly following the file closely.
Bettman doesn’t want to create an imbalance between the two associations, and that’s why he wants to keep the team in the East when the Senators pass into the hands of new investors.
The city par excellence
Who can take the senators? Ottawa must not be neglected. The new owners were able to use certain rights acquired by Eugene Melnyk to build a new downtown amphitheater.
Quebec meets all the criteria of professional ice hockey: infrastructure, fans, enthusiasm for the sport, etc.
Perhaps the Toronto region would like a second formation.
Over the past few years, we have consistently sponsored business people’s projects in the Toronto suburbs. This is a project that is still on the table.
What will the selling price be?
Some are advancing $650 million, but Commissioner Bettman will oppose it.
The Seattle Kraken paid that amount three years ago.
Instead, we’re talking about an amount of 900 million or $1 billion.
Exaggerated numbers for a dealership struggling to attract customers.
