News Article: Lebreton

[OgieO]

I wonder who the more "powerful" partners are on this one?

 

[JimmySpaetzle]

This always seems like wishful thinking to me.

They already have 100’s of millions outside of the team, will also inherit another Melnyk fortune from their mom, and the whole point of making brand changes is to start the cash flowing, and this is already happening.

To me, common sense would dictate that they would not want to sell the NHL team, why would they? Owning an NHL team that was your fathers legacy left to you is pretty cool. With the right people in place to run the day to day, they could be like any other private owners.

If I was in their situation at 20 there is zero chance I would sell the team; zero. I would be a gazillionaire, and own an NHL team. I hope they keep the team and continue to make the changes that they want to see. It’s a great story. We really don’t need another insanely rich old white dude at the helm in my opinion.

Fair but I mean everyone in here are huge hockey fans. Not everyone is like that

 

[armani]

I wonder who the more "powerful" partners are on this one?

Some of the rival DCDLS group members were present “in support” of Melnyk during mediation with Ruddy before the former bid award got annulled. I am guessing Andre Desmarais is one.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Fair but I mean everyone in here are huge hockey fans. Not everyone is like that

Oh absolutely, and if they want to sell the team that’s their choice for sure.

I was more looking at the excuses some fans are making as to why Anna and Olivia neeeed to sell the team, and why it would be dumb for them to keep it, etc…

It’s all self serving nonsense. It read like “I want them to sell because I want someone else to own the team”. The hidden reasoning always seems to read like: “young girls can’t own a team properly, we need an old rich businessman to own it”.

It’s not said explicitly of course, but the fantasy businessmen mentioned in here are always the exact same demographic.

I would like change. I’m tired of that demographic.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Interesting that Garrioch says they're still deciding what to do with the team, keep it or sell it, while also acknowledging that this opportunity locked up increases value should they sell.

Doesn't seem to line up with the comments about Melnyk having this all lined up with the expression of interest and other partners before his death, since to me that implies they will definitely move forward with at least owning a piece, but maybe I'm missing something there.

 

[ksens]

Oh absolutely, and if they want to sell the team that’s their choice for sure.

I was more looking at the excuses some fans are making as to why Anna and Olivia neeeed to sell the team, and why it would be dumb for them to keep it, etc…

It’s all self serving nonsense. It read like “I want them to sell because I want someone else to own the team”. The hidden reasoning always seems to read like: “young girls can’t own a team properly, we need an old rich businessman to own it”.

It’s not said explicitly of course, but the fantasy businessmen mentioned in here are always the exact same demographic.

I would like change. I’m tired of that demographic.

I don't care how old they are or their gender, what I care about in an owner a) what their capabilities are to build alliances with business and government and grow the franchise, and to put in place (and pay for) an NHL class hockey ops and front office organization and b) that they have the cash flow to run the team and not worry about being cash positive every month or every year, but instead have the money to be invested for the long term growth of the value of the franchise and ancillary businesses.

For a) these are two people with next to no experience in this area, and the current organization is running on fumes and staffed with lackeys that worked for their father. For b) their only income is from the estate, if Eugene didn't have the money to run the Sens then they won't either.

The answer is "I want them to sell because I want to ensure the long term viability of the team in Ottawa". If they don't sell a controlling stake in the team the franchise will most likely not survive and certainly not thrive because of the same reasons it was going downhill under the ownership of their father. Just because they might not be raging assholes like their father doesn't change underlying economics - they can't run this team successfully.

 

[JackieDaytona]

I don't care how old they are or their gender, what I care about in an owner a) what their capabilities are to build alliances with business and government and grow the franchise, and to put in place (and pay for) an NHL class hockey ops and front office organization and b) that they have the cash flow to run the team and not worry about being cash positive every month or every year, but instead have the money to be invested for the long term growth of the value of the franchise and ancillary businesses.

For a) these are two people with next to no experience in this area, and the current organization is running on fumes and staffed with lackeys that worked for their father. For b) their only income is from the estate, if Eugene didn't have the money to run the Sens then they won't either.

The answer is "I want them to sell because I want to ensure the long term viability of the team in Ottawa". If they don't sell a controlling stake in the team the franchise will most likely not survive and certainly not thrive because of the same reasons it was going downhill under the ownership of their father. Just because they might not be raging assholes like their father doesn't change underlying economics - they can't run this team successfully.

I get this perspective, and also don't care what the demographics of the owners are so long as they make the changes needed in the org (some as stated above) and are able to put out the capital to build a winner and attract the fans back to spend more (lots of cart/horse debate around whether fan spending should precede team spending; i'd like to avoid getting into that as there is some merit on either side. The objective takeaway is that ownership needs to have fluid money to spend to improve the team on and off ice regardless of how/what revenue is generated).

If these two young women are capable of putting together and executing a plan (even if they don't have experience, aligning themselves with or hiring folks who do) without selling any piece of the team to others, then I'm all for it. I think it is possible for them to not sell and still take on the challenges in front of them.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I don't care how old they are or their gender, what I care about in an owner a) what their capabilities are to build alliances with business and government and grow the franchise, and to put in place (and pay for) an NHL class hockey ops and front office organization and b) that they have the cash flow to run the team and not worry about being cash positive every month or every year, but instead have the money to be invested for the long term growth of the value of the franchise and ancillary businesses.

For a) these are two people with next to no experience in this area, and the current organization is running on fumes and staffed with lackeys that worked for their father. For b) their only income is from the estate, if Eugene didn't have the money to run the Sens then they won't either.

The answer is "I want them to sell because I want to ensure the long term viability of the team in Ottawa". If they don't sell a controlling stake in the team the franchise will most likely not survive and certainly not thrive because of the same reasons it was going downhill under the ownership of their father. Just because they might not be raging assholes like their father doesn't change underlying economics - they can't run this team successfully.

You list a bunch or random crap, don’t know anyone involved, ignore how much of what you want is already happening, and pretty much double down on young women not being capable.

I can’t believe people are still begging for old rich men to come and save them in this day in age.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I get this perspective, and also don't care what the demographics of the owners are so long as they make the changes needed in the org (some as stated above) and are able to put out the capital to build a winner and attract the fans back to spend more (lots of cart/horse debate around whether fan spending should precede team spending; i'd like to avoid getting into that as there is some merit on either side. The objective takeaway is that ownership needs to have fluid money to spend to improve the team on and off ice regardless of how/what revenue is generated).

If these two young women are capable of putting together and executing a plan (even if they don't have experience, aligning themselves with or hiring folks who do) without selling any piece of the team to others, then I'm all for it. I think it is possible for them to not sell and still take on the challenges in front of them.

Exactly, especially if they are able to turn the team back into a solid business.

I personally want to see these owners have a go and make more changes. The social side alone will make a huge difference to the brand.

 

[JD1]

I don't care how old they are or their gender, what I care about in an owner a) what their capabilities are to build alliances with business and government and grow the franchise, and to put in place (and pay for) an NHL class hockey ops and front office organization and b) that they have the cash flow to run the team and not worry about being cash positive every month or every year, but instead have the money to be invested for the long term growth of the value of the franchise and ancillary businesses.

For a) these are two people with next to no experience in this area, and the current organization is running on fumes and staffed with lackeys that worked for their father. For b) their only income is from the estate, if Eugene didn't have the money to run the Sens then they won't either.

The answer is "I want them to sell because I want to ensure the long term viability of the team in Ottawa". If they don't sell a controlling stake in the team the franchise will most likely not survive and certainly not thrive because of the same reasons it was going downhill under the ownership of their father. Just because they might not be raging assholes like their father doesn't change underlying economics - they can't run this team successfully.

I thought the underlying economics were because Melnyk was a raging asshole?

 

[BankStreetParade]

Well for there to be a downtown arena, there has to be a cash infusion of some type, some some type of partner, but I do agree I think the ladies keep part of the team.

I think you guys are going to be surprised that Melnyk's estate has way way more money than any of the professional estimates. It seems to be par for the course for people with that level of wealth to be way wealthier than anyone thinks.

 

[Knave]

I think you guys are going to be surprised that Melnyk's estate has way way more money than any of the professional estimates. It seems to be par for the course for people with that level of wealth to be way wealthier than anyone thinks.

It's funny you say this because the only example we have concrete proof of would be Wilbur Ross. Trump hired him for a position in his executive and Forbes for years had said he was worth a few billion and had him on their billionaires list. When it came down to disclosures (to be hired for the position Trump wanted him in) it turns out he was worth $800 million or something.

 

[Crosside]

GARRIOCH: We're about to find out if Senators' future will likely be at LeBreton Flats

"The National Capital Commission's board of directors will meet Thursday and the group is expected to announce an agreement in principle with the preferred bidder."

ottawasun.com

 

[PlayersLtd]

I think you guys are going to be surprised that Melnyk's estate has way way more money than any of the professional estimates. It seems to be par for the course for people with that level of wealth to be way wealthier than anyone thinks.

I think you're correct. Forbes (for example) can only look so deep into someone's wealth. Generally only the shareholdings that were made public at one point or another, and some land titles are measured on the Forbes list. But as far as I know Forbes doesn't put a valuation on a yacht, a supercar collection, private investment portfolios or the land owned by a holding company etc... There is a lot of undisclosed wealth that is left off and can't be pieced together from the public ledger.

So yeah, if Melnyk divested himself of some Biovail shares and reinvested before it tanked, some or all of that reinvestment wouldn't be public and thus wouldn't be known by Forbes or another wealth valuation company like it. That, on top of physical assets and some land holdings could make his estate far more valuable than what we know. And that is saying nothing of the holdings or wealth that may have been transferred to his wife or a trust.

 

[Stylizer1]

I think you're correct. Forbes (for example) can only look so deep into someone's wealth. Generally only the shareholdings that were made public at one point or another, and some land titles are measured on the Forbes list. But as far as I know Forbes doesn't put a valuation on a yacht, a supercar collection, private investment portfolios or the land owned by a holding company etc... There is a lot of undisclosed wealth that is left off and can't be pieced together from the public ledger.

So yeah, if Melnyk divested himself of some Biovail shares and reinvested before it tanked, some or all of that reinvestment wouldn't be public and thus wouldn't be known by Forbes or another wealth valuation company like it. That, on top of physical assets and some land holdings could make his estate far more valuable than what we know. And that is saying nothing of the holdings or wealth that may have been transferred to his wife or a trust.

So if he was richer it would make him out to be the liar we knew he was and he purposely tanked ths team and the fanbase even if it were for his kids. No better example of a selfish man.

 

[GCK]

You list a bunch or random crap, don’t know anyone involved, ignore how much of what you want is already happening, and pretty much double down on young women not being capable.

I can’t believe people are still begging for old rich men to come and save them in this day in age.

Weird take. I think most fans just want ownership that can fund the team. Hell I’d take Oprah as owner.

 

[Sun God Nika]

couldn't give a rats ass if the team owner was a female/non-binary/trans or if they are hard right or hard left.

Being progressive and fighting for social change is definitely a plus.

But selfishly the only thing I care about is someone that can come in and spend to the cap and over with LTIR, management, and coaching so this team can win a cup before I die.

Before you come at me and say those guys/folks/girls don't exist look at Thomson Reuters who own the Winnipeg jets with over 50B in assets. They couldn't give a f*** to involve themselves in the team operations and 100M~ in annual team expenditures is pocket change.

 

[PlayersLtd]

So if he was richer it would make him out to be the liar we knew he was and he purposely tanked ths team and the fanbase even if it were for his kids. No better example of a selfish man.

Literally kicking a dead horse, but ok.

 

[thinkwild]

Sometimes i wonder if Melnyk had some Machiavellian scheme to run the team to bare bones so that when his daughters took over they would have lots of runway to be the good guys. Then i remember that phrase: never ascribe to malice that which can be described by incompetence, and i shake it off.

 

[Sun God Nika]

Sometimes i wonder if Melnyk had some Machiavellian scheme to run the team to bare bones so that when his daughters took over they would have lots of runway to be the good guys. Then i remember that phrase: never ascribe to malice that which can be described by incompetence, and i shake it off.

It really isn't hard to look like a good guy when you are replacing someone as messed up as Melnyk. He was a senile racist, homophobic, misogynistic piece of shit. Donald Trump would look like a saint.

 

[JackieDaytona]

Weird take. I think most fans just want ownership that can fund the team. Hell I’d take Oprah as owner.

That would be awesome. I’d always be looking under the seat for free shit.

 

[Ice-Tray]

So if he was richer it would make him out to be the liar we knew he was and he purposely tanked ths team and the fanbase even if it were for his kids. No better example of a selfish man.

Or…. He didn’t like your cheap ass entitled ways, and so he tied hockey expenses to revenues, told you he was doing it and why at the time, and then watched you tank you own team by being cheap.

That’s more vindictive than selfish, and it made a ton of folks squirm for years, while he continued to be fabulously wealthy and still owned the team.

He then sold everything off, oversaw an awesome new crop of kids to build a new team with, then up and died before any fantasy vengeance could be extracted by those who care about that kind of thing.

Asshole to the end!

He also seems to have set things up just fine for his daughters, and the majority of the fanbase and business community has already turned the page now that he has passed.

Seems like it could be an epic troll job in the end, a huge poke in the eye to the Melnykout crowd perhaps?

It’s choose your own adventure really, buuuut it’s also all old news now. The king is dead, long live the queens and such.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Or…. He didn’t like your cheap ass entitled ways, and so he tied hockey expenses to revenues, told you he was doing it and why at the time, and then watched you tank you own team by being cheap.

That’s more vindictive than selfish, and it made a ton of folks squirm for years, while he continued to be fabulously wealthy and still owned the team.

He then sold everything off, oversaw an awesome new crop of kids to build a new team with, then up and died before any fantasy vengeance could be extracted by those who care about that kind of thing.

Asshole to the end!

He also seems to have set things up just fine for his daughters, and the majority of the fanbase and business community has already turned the page now that he has passed.

Seems like it could be an epic troll job in the end, a huge poke in the eye to the Melnykout crowd perhaps?

It’s choose your own adventure really, buuuut it’s also all old news now. The king is dead, long live the queens and such.

I can’t wait for the CBC mini series

 

[Ice-Tray]

Weird take. I think most fans just want ownership that can fund the team. Hell I’d take Oprah as owner.

Is it weird though?

This place isn’t most fans. Most fans are looking forward to seeing what happens this summer and beyond, and are pleased with all of the changes that have happened to the brand since EM’s passing.

This place is for obsessive fans, and bored folk with nothing better to do with their time.

Here’s food for thought: a bunch of middle aged dudes proposing a list of people they fantasize about buying the team, is unsurprisingly a group of old rich dudes. of course it’s not seen as an issue or weird to folks in here, it matches the demographic.

It’s always the same story… I don’t have an issue with age or gender, I just don’t think these young girls can successfully own the team, and I’m not willing to give them a chance…. Just makes me laugh is all.

And as for Oprah… it’s nice to know that you ‘take’ one of the wealthiest humans as the owner of the team, it truly is a grand display of inclusiveness! Lol

 

[Ice-Tray]

couldn't give a rats ass if the team owner was a female/non-binary/trans or if they are hard right or hard left.

Being progressive and fighting for social change is definitely a plus.

But selfishly the only thing I care about is someone that can come in and spend to the cap and over with LTIR, management, and coaching so this team can win a cup before I die.

Before you come at me and say those guys/folks/girls don't exist look at Thomson Reuters who own the Winnipeg jets with over 50B in assets. They couldn't give a f*** to involve themselves in the team operations and 100M~ in annual team expenditures is pocket change.

And yet they haven’t done shit.

You have to look past the selfishness now though. The organization, the brand, has to be bigger and better than it was now. Olivia and Anna, according to LeBlanc have recognized that the Sens can do a lot more for the city than they have been, try and be social leaders. There is tremendous community value in that.

Imagine the Sens actually being a model franchise for something positive?

I’m interested in seeing if the Sens can start actually reaching the hearts of folks, become important, push back against the Hab and leaf fans in the area. It’s a hearts and minds battle along with hockey games.

The market is big enough and passionate enough to support an NHL team, how it gets there is important, and how it grows from there outward is what’s up for grabs.

Sure, maybe it will be sold to a rich old dude who will absorb loses and chuck money at the team, and sure that will be fine, but it would be nice to see if something a bit more authentic, a bit bigger could be built first before throwing in the towel.

There is an opportunity here.