GARRIOCH: The bids are in and here’s the latest we have on the sale of the Senators

The sale of the Ottawa Senators has now entered the next crucial phase.

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As Postmedia reported, the first round of bids for the franchise was due to New York-based bankers Galatioto Sports Partners (GSP) on Monday, and they are now sorting through the paperwork to determine if there needs to be another round of bids.

League sources told this newspaper on Wednesday the league had received at least three offers for the senators and possibly a fourth.

It could be more than we’re told, as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that more than 15 groups had been granted permission to view the club’s finances, but this newspaper could only confirm three.

Those talks have now entered a delicate phase and NHL headquarters wants the new owners in place by July 1st. Do not hold anyone on this date as they have always been moving targets during these conversations.

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Postmedia believes the following groups submitted bids:

THE REMINGTON GROUP: Remington Group, a Toronto-based real estate development company and one of Ontario’s largest developers, has recruited Vancouver-born actor Ryan Reynolds as a partner in a consortium that has submitted a bid and is determined to build a new ice rink for LeBreton homes.

The bid is being led by Remington Group President Christopher Bratty along with several partners, but Reynolds would be the face of the Senators franchise and would play a key role in decision making for the club’s future. His Los Angeles-based production company, Maximum Effort, also played a key role.

The Remington Group is a historic real estate company led by longtime Toronto real estate moguls Rudy and Jerry Bratty. Rudy’s four sons – Matthew, Michael, Mark and Chris – have taken over the business in recent years and the company has played a large part in the redevelopment of the Markham community.

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According to a source, the Remington Group’s vision is to help Ottawa improve its place on the world stage, and that will be music to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s ears. The signs are that this group has a lot of weight behind them and is determined to bring home the Stanley Cup.

The group has a small stake in the Seattle Kraken.

Michael Andlauer: The Toronto-based billionaire owner of Andlauer Healthcare Group was invested in the process from the start.

As part owner of the Montreal Canadiens and sole owner of OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, he assembled a group that could include Windsor real estate magnate Rocco Tullio and Burlington-based Paul and Michael Paletta of Alinea Group Holdings.

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Tullio is the owner of OHL’s Oshawa Generals and offered the late Eugene Melnyk $650 million (all US figures) for the franchise before his death.

We’re also told that Farm Boy exec Jeff York was trying to raise $100 million from a group of 20 local investors at $5 million each to be part of Andlauer’s bid. One of York’s partners in raising capital is Jean Pierre Poulin, Chief Executive Officer of Devcore Group.

Andlauer has always been considered a pioneer. He has the support of Montreal owner Geoff Molson, has represented the Canadians at board meetings and also sought to move his stake in the club during the process.

THE KIMEL FAMILY: Jeffrey and Michael Kimel of Toronto’s Harlo Capital and Harlo Entertainment Group attempted to work with Melnyk on his bid for LeBreton Flats.

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The Kimel family is one of Southern Ontario’s largest real estate developers and co-founders of Chase Hospitality Group, which specializes in creating “culinary destinations.”

They sold their minority interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins to Fenway Sports Group in 2021 and would love to get back into the NHL.

Michael Kimel recently founded OverActive Media, which invests in esports, and he also served on the Penguins’ management committee.

The Kimel family has the financial means to make this happen and the knowledge to help build LeBreton, but they are not alone on this front.

There’s also talk of Neko Sparks, a Los Angeles-based producer, putting together a consortium and making an offer two weeks ago.

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On Sparks Finance Group’s website, the company says it will “continue its foray into esports by pursuing a controlling interest in a professional sports team.” That is accompanied by a picture of a hockey player, but Sparks is pictured below in front of a billboard at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Other names Postmedia have reported expressing interest include Neil Malhotra of Claridge Homes, André Desmarais of Powercorp., Paul Rivet, former CEO of Toronto Star, and Patrick Dovigi, CEO of GFL Environmental.

Malhotra and Dovigi were considered reputable, but they may be part of another group or have gone about their business quietly.

Once the NHL and GSP have determined which groups will take the next step in this process, discussions will intensify.

Twitter.com/sungarrioch