CELEBRITIES
Is Ryan Reynolds buying the Ottawa Senators?
TSN reports a $1 billion dollar deal is in the works.
Canadian-born actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds is reportedly gearing up to buy the Ottawa Senators.
Reynolds is one of Canada’s most prominent business people, as he has invested in the likes of cellphone technology, international real estate, and most recently a Canadian Fintech company.
Not to mention Wrexham, the North Wales soccer team Reynolds bought in early 2021 and has recently led to professional league promotion.
Reynolds $1B NHL deal
Now, it has been reported by TSN that Reynolds and Canadian-based Remington Group are preparing a $1 billion investment into the NHL team. The team’s home stadium, the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, sweetens the deal — the arena is included in the bid, as per Postmedia publication.
The Toronto real estate company, Remington Group, has teamed up with Reynolds before, as this is not his first time scoping out available NHL teams to add to his growing portfolio. The group sees the Hollywood actor as a face-lift for the Sens — who didn’t make the 2023 playoffs.
The partnership is also hopeful to build a brand-new stadium to replace the team’s current one, which is in a suburb outside downtown Ottawa. Reynolds is reportedly eyeing up grounds in the downtown core.
Final bids for the purchase of the Ottawa Senators are due May 15.
Gary Bettman approves
Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, has already publicly stated that he backs the idea of Reynolds taking ownership. The Wrexham co-owner has stayed in touch with the top offices in the league.
Additionally, the commissioner pointed out in December 2022 that a Ryan Reynolds ownership would raise the team’s profile because the actor has more than 100 million social media followers.
What are Ryan Reynolds plans for the Ottawa Senators?
Ryan Reynolds has big plans to marry his production company, Maximum Effort, in Los Angeles with his National Hockey League initiatives.
Reynolds reportedly wants to bring his production house to come to Ottawa to make a television series documenting his purchase of the Sens and the building of the new stadium, similar to what he did with Wrexham AFC on Disney+.
The potential Sens buyers hope to get a lease through the National Capital Commission for the new stadium, to be located at LeBreton Flats. The Commission, with Bettman at the helm, appear to be ready to sign the lease as soon as the ink is dry on Reynolds’ contract.