Ottawa’s new Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is due to meet with National Hockey League (NHL) officials next week and says he wants to be very cooperative in selling the Senators.
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At a press conference on Wednesday, the chairman raised the idea of investing public money in building a new arena. A move from the “Sens” to the LeBreton Flats would have been the preferred option for many for years, bringing the team closer to downtown.
“There’s no doubt that the city’s budget is limited and there are a lot of other priorities, so I’m not a fan of putting city money into an arena, but it will depend on a lot of factors,” Sutcliffe explained, his Remarks were echoed by the “Ottawa Sun.”
The mayor is set to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and his deputy, Bill Daly, in the Canadian capital on Monday. Several issues are discussed, but the most burning remains the sale of the senators. The team’s new owner could be known in the next few months.
“I look forward to this meeting with Bettman and welcome the opportunity to speak with him on Monday. I’m excited to see how the Senators’ sale process goes,” continued Sutcliffe, who will also be speaking to the team’s new owner in due course to finalize the game plan.
He underlined that “all options are on the table”. Eugene Melnyk’s successor as owner might as well choose to move the club or build an amphitheater somewhere other than LeBreton Flats.
“The city will play a role. It may not be a financial role, but there are many ways a city can contribute to this process and I’m willing to have those conversations. It is very early. We don’t yet know the new owners and if they want to move,” said Sutcliffe.
Six groups of buyers, including Montreal Canadiens minority owner Michael Andlauer and popular actor Ryan Reynolds, are still in the running.