Snoop Dogg and The Weeknd‘s bids to become the first Black NHL owners did not come to fruition as the Ottawa Senators will be sold to another group.
According to TMZ, the franchise announced on Tuesday (June 13) it would be opting to take an offer of about $1billion from a bidding group led by Toronto businessman Michael Andlauer.
“My family and I are very excited to be a part of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club,” Andlauer said in a statement after learning he’d be the new majority owner.”I believe that the Senators’ fanbase is one of the most passionate in the league and I’m excited to take the franchise’s success both on and off the ice to the next level.
Andlauer will fork over a reported $950million for 90 percent of the franchise while previous owners Anna and Olivia Melnyk will retain a 10 percent interest. The Senators are coming off of a down season where Ottawa missed the playoffs with a record 39-35-8.
News Release: Senators Sports & Entertainment announces that Michael Andlauer has entered into an agreement to purchase the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club: https://t.co/SsvqkXUipK pic.twitter.com/XrIkECwHkv
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 13, 2023
The Death Row icon previously voiced his hope to grow the game of hockey within the Black community and make history alongside Hollywood film producer Neko Sparks.
“Amazing what @neko_sparks is trying to do in Ottawa & I’m looking forward to being apart of that ownership team,” Snoop wrote to Instagram. I WANNA BRING HOCKEY TO OUR COMMUNITY.”
Snoop Dogg is no stranger to the hockey world as he’s long been a fan of the Los Angeles Kings. The 51-year-old has even joined the Kings’ play-by-play broadcast to read the team’s lineup for a game.
The Weeknd reportedly joined Toronto billionaires Jeffrey and Michael Kimel of the Harlo Capital Group in their quest for the Sens last month, but they ultimately came up short.
Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds also had a separate group throwing money in an effort to purchase Ottawa but his team reportedly pulled out of the bidding when the price got too steep in May.
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