Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon asked Reynolds directly if the Canadian movie star was interested in buying the NHL club. Reynolds was firm in his response Monday night. “Yes, that’s true,” said Reynolds, who already co-owns Welsh football club Wrexham with fellow actor Rob McElhenney. “I’m trying to do it. It’s too expensive.” Reynolds added with a laugh, “I need a partner with really deep pockets.” Actor Ryan Reynolds gestures to a fan as he is recognized during a break in the play as the Ottawa Senators take on the Vancouver Canucks in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Reynolds has confirmed his interest in buying the Senators franchise. (Justin Tang/CP) Forbes magazine valued the Senators at US$525 million in December 2021, about four months before former owner Eugene Melnyk died. Within months of Melnyk’s death, the Senators were again the preferred partner for a proposed arena project to be built in Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats area, likely increasing the team’s value. The senators previously considered moving to LeBreton Flats, but the plan fell apart with Melnyk and his business partners suing each other. The Melnyk estate has made it clear that the team will only be sold if the buyer agrees to keep the team in Ottawa. Fans hold signs in response to reports that Reynolds is interested in buying the Ottawa Senators as Senators Brady Tkachuk warms up before an NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks in Ottawa on Tuesday. (Justin Tang/CP) The star of the “Deadpool” movie series addressed both the costs of buying an NHL team and keeping the team in Canada’s capital in his interview with Fallon. Reynolds said he would have to be the face of a consortium to buy the Senators, which he said is “a fancy way of saying I need a sugar mama or a sugar daddy.” Although he is from Vancouver, Reynolds also spoke of his love for the National Capital Region. “I love Ottawa. I grew up in Vancouver, which has always had my heart, but I also grew up in Ottawa,” Reynolds said. “I spent a lot of time in Vanier which is a small town right inside Ottawa.”
“The formal process has not yet started”: Commissioner
As part of NHL city visits, league commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly met with the Winnipeg media before Tuesday’s Jets game against the Dallas Stars. Bettman said he was aware of Reynolds’ recent comments. “He was pretty vocal on the Tonight Show last night with Jimmy Fallon that he would be very interested and he needs either a sugar mama or a sugar daddy with a lot of money to help him out,” Bettman said with a smile. “I think those were his exact words that I’m quoting. Look, anything that engages the fan base, that brings a lot of attention to the franchise and the team is a plus. He’s a very popular and respected person.” Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk died at age 62 in March. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) Bettman said his office is being kept informed of the senators’ status at this stage and when negotiations will begin. “The process is being led by an investment banking firm that has been retained for this purpose,” Bettman said. “We’re aware. Obviously, we have to check people who might be interested when they get to it. “The official process hasn’t started yet and it will. One thing that has become abundantly clear … is that the club has made it clear that any sale will be contingent on the club staying in Ottawa and hopefully moving downtown to LeBreton Flats.” Melnyk bought the Senators in 2003 for US$92 million, at a time when the franchise was facing bankruptcy and a tenuous future in the nation’s capital. The board has been handling the team’s day-to-day operations since Melnyk’s death.
