Ottawa Senators for sale (upd: sold to Michael Andlauer)

[MMC]

 

[MMC]

 

[MMC]

 

[MMC]

 

[Karl Eriksson]

Russel Peters joined sparks group too.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Did Reynolds ever say he'd do a TV show?

Even if he did - would it be as successful? Part of the charm of Welcome to Wrexham was just learning about Wales, the town of Wrexham, and it's supporters. How it's like the third-oldest pro football team in the world or something.

I like Ottawa just fine, but it's a government town, not a quirky Welsh mining town. And the Sens are a fine team, but just generally a very mediocre on-ice performance and a history that only goes back 30 years.

We're also talking about a city that is the birthplace of the Stanley Cup and had a professional hockey team before the NHL existed. Ottawa may not be Wrexham, but there's definitely some interesting stories to tell about the city and surrounding area, and hockey.

 

[gstommylee]

That lawsuit once filed is going to take years to get through the courts. Only reason why the first nation tribe is even doing cause of money and want in all development say of that land.

 

[MMC]

 

[Rich Nixon]

Sounds like it's Michael Andlauer.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Gil Gunderson]

So Neko is what we expected?

 

[MMC]

 

[LadyStanley]

Does not sound like solvent bid

 

[Mike Jones]

Does not sound like solvent bid

It doesn't. Shouldn't you have your act together before you reach this stage in the bidding process?

 

[Chet Manley]

That lawsuit once filed is going to take years to get through the courts. Only reason why the first nation tribe is even doing cause of money and want in all development say of that land.

The only reason why the Sens are worth ~$1B is the inside track to develop that same land. If anyone has a valid claim to that property than they should be compensated with money and/or involvement in developing the property.

 

[Fatass]

Does not sound like solvent bid

How does this bid get to this point in the process if they don’t have the money?

 

[Karl Eriksson]

You guys want to join the Neko Sparks bid? See if we can get $1M pooled across Hf.

 

[GKJ]

The details coming out about the Sparks bid is clear sign that there’s people who want to make sure that people know that it’s not the bid people should want to happen as it’s been the one most people are talking about (at least since Remington dropped out). This has been an abnormally public process, and we know the league likes the people who stay quiet. Really don’t know what Sparks’ play here was other than to just stay in the game and hope that was enough to draw more financing, or he doesn’t know what he’s doing and wants to see what the process is, but he’s not making a good name for himself by doing this.

 

[DuklaNation]

If I contributed $1 to the ownership bid, couldn't I claim I'm part of the ownership group too? This Sparks group bid seems odd and I'd be concerned for Ottawa about their true intentions. The fact they're promoting various individuals is a major red flag. If I'm in California, why purchase an NHL team in Canada? For the ROI? Tax shelter? Or relocation?

 

[BMN]

This Sparks group bid seems odd and I'd be concerned for Ottawa about their true intentions. The fact they're promoting various individuals is a major red flag. If I'm in California, why purchase an NHL team in Canada? For the ROI? Tax shelter? Or relocation?

When there are this many bids for one franchise, other than your predictable Top 5-10 revenue drivers like a New York Yankees, I always raise an eyebrow and think...

--- Are these people really just more interested in owning a <insert league> franchise in general and plan to relocate the one they buy?,
--- If they know relocation will be forbidden, at least make a big enough dog-and-pony show to be front-of-line when an actual expansion/relocation option turns up?

If either of these, it's hilarious to consider it as a strategy when, as we've discussed many times, it seems like the NHL prefers the more low-key approach.

 

[LadyStanley]

2nd major topic is sales process "out of control".

 

[StreetHawk]

When there are this many bids for one franchise, other than your predictable Top 5-10 revenue drivers like a New York Yankees, I always raise an eyebrow and think...

--- Are these people really just more interested in owning a <insert league> franchise in general and plan to relocate the one they buy?,
--- If they know relocation will be forbidden, at least make a big enough dog-and-pony show to be front-of-line when an actual expansion/relocation option turns up?

If either of these, it's hilarious to consider it as a strategy when, as we've discussed many times, it seems like the NHL prefers the more low-key approach.

What else can be developed at LeBreton Flats? I can understand developers being interested in the team from a real estate play if that is the case, like the Tempe Entertainment District. What is the background of the bidders? Can't all have made their money from real estate?

 

[TheGreenTBer]

How does this bid get to this point in the process if they don’t have the money?

PR.

 

[powerstuck]

Neko Sparks going hand to hand with Kitigan Zibi first nations sounds like someone is trying to force hands in this game.

Tribe claims land and takes legal action, action which will take years and years to settle.
Theorically no construction could be done until such legal claims are settled....unless you work with the tribe to own the team and build something on their land.