• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Ottawa Senators’ Sale Process Could (Finally) Be Near an End

  • Multiple groups remain in the mix more than two weeks after the final bid deadline.
  • The Sens’ sale has already taken longer than the Washington Commanders.
Ottawa Senators
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

The length of the Ottawa Senators sale process has already exceeded the Washington Commanders — and it appears to have a few days to go before a new owner of the NHL franchise is anointed. 

While there are indications that the four groups that submitted final, binding bids at the May 15 deadline have been whittled down some, all remain in the mix for the club expected to sell for about $1 billion, two sources with knowledge of the process told Front Office Sports.

Despite hope a winning bidder would be chosen days after the bid deadline, Galatioto Sports Partners — the firm tapped to handle the sale — has continued to meet and request more information from the candidates, sources said. 

So, when will this all conclude? 

The aim is to have a winner tapped by the end of this week, although one source said it could bleed into next week. 

Four groups submitted final bids: 

  • Billionaire healthcare group founder Michael Andlaue, who also owns a minority interest in the Montreal Canadiens 
  • Toronto businessman Steve Apostolopoulos 
  • Entrepreneurs and former Pittsburgh Penguins co-owners Jeffrey and Michael Kimel, who have music artist The Weekend as part of their group
  • Los Angeles-based businessman Neko Sparks, whose group includes rapper Snoop Dogg, Canadian Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter Donovan Bailey and others

The Commanders took 191 days between when the team went on the market, and Josh Harris secured a final agreement to purchase the franchise for a record $6.05 billion on May 12.  

As of Tuesday, the Senators’ sale has spanned 207 days. 

Apostolopoulos showed interest in the Commanders but was never in serious contention in the final weeks before the Harris announcement. But his pursuit of the Senators has progressed to a point where one source believes Apostolopoulos is considered the frontrunner.

The Ottawa Sun reported on Monday that Apostolopoulos’ $1 billion bid for the Senators is the “one to beat.”

The daughters of late owner Eugene Melnyk, Anna and Olivia Melnyk, have met with all four groups in the running in recent weeks, and how soon this could all be over relies on their decision with the input of Galatioto Sports Partners. 

Once a bidder is chosen, the paperwork will go into the NHL. That will begin the league’s vetting process, leading to a full ownership vote if there are no concerns.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NHL to Rejoin Olympic Ice in Milan—and NBC Set to Cash In

NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.

NHL Free Agency Begins With Big Money but Modest Star Power

Teams will look to take advantage of an enlarged salary cap.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.