Ryan Reynolds has confirmed rumors about his interest in acquiring the Ottawa Senators.
The Canadian actor discussed the possibility of buying the NHL club during the ‘Tonight Show’, hosted by Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon asked Reynolds about buying the Senators from the estate of former owner Eugene Melnyk, and admitted he’s trying to buy the team from Canada’s federal capital.
“Yeah, that’s true,” said Reynolds, who already co-owns Welsh soccer club Wrexham along with fellow actor Rob McElhenney. “That’s what I try to do. It is very expensive. ”
Reynolds then added, laughing, “I need a partner who has really deep pockets.”
.@VancityReynolds addresses the rumors that he is interested in buying the @NHL @Senators. 👀 #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/oMgaM08NXy
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) November 8, 2022
‘Forbes’ magazine estimates the Senators’ value at around US$525 million, and Melnyk’s estate has previously hinted that the team will be sold only if prospective buyers agree to keep it in Ottawa.
Reynolds discussed both issues during his interview with Fallon.
The star of the ‘Deadpool’ film series has indicated he will have to headline the consortium that wants to acquire the Senators, ‘a polite way of saying I need a pimp (‘ sugar daddy’) or a pimp (‘sugar mommy’)”.
Reynolds said he considers himself a Vancouverite, but said he also grew up in Vanier, a neighborhood in Ottawa’s east end.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he is being kept informed of the situation regarding a sale of the Senators.
“The process is managed by an investment bank retained for this purpose,” Bettman said.
“The formal process has not yet started. The team has made it clear that any sale is subject to the club remaining in Ottawa and hopefully moving downtown (LeBreton Flats). ”
Melnyk bought the Senators in 2003 for $92 million, when the organization was facing bankruptcy and its future in the nation’s capital looked bleak.
The day-to-day operations of the team have been handled by the directors’ office since Melnyk’s death on March 28.
