Bidding for the Ottawa Senators franchise is approaching a league-record $1 billion, Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday.
More than a dozen groups reportedly have shown serious interest in the team, which was originally expected to fetch about $800 million when it went on the market last November.
The highest price paid for an NHL franchise to date was $900 million by Fenway Sports Group for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021.
The Ottawa Sun reported over the weekend that the final bid deadline is May 15.
Potential buyers identified during the bidding process include The Remington Group, led by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds; Toronto billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos; Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive; and Montreal Canadiens minority owner Michael Andlauer.
Eugene Melnyk, who purchased the Senators for $92 million in 2003, died in March 2022.
–Field Level Media
