There are only two potential buyers left for the Ottawa Senators as billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos reportedly withdrew his bid over the delicate process.
According to Ottawa Sun journalist Bruce Garrioch, the Torontonian was the one willing to offer the biggest check — more than $1 billion — but as negotiations dragged on, he would have decided to move on to another call.
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The circumstances of Apostolopoulos’ departure are unclear, but there were rumors he was asking for a one-year release clause, which didn’t please the auctioneers. However, Garrioch reported that it was only about noise from corridors and that a measure of this kind was not really possible.
In May, actor Ryan Reynolds’ group also decided not to continue after being denied an exclusive negotiation period.
Thus, minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens Michael Andlauer and brothers Jeffrey and Michael Kimel would be the two main contenders. Their offers for the senators are said to be below the billion dollar mark.
Also, according to the Ottawa media, producer Neko Sparks’ group would be underfunded and his chances of being selected by Galatioto Sports Partners and the Melnyk family would be slim.
The National Hockey League franchise has been on sale since November 7th.