Ottawa Senators sale: Elliotte Friedman reports Ryan Reynolds' group will be tough to beat in race against potential buyers

Actor Ryan Reynolds' bid to purchase the Ottawa Senators has gained steam in recent weeks. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, his group is shaping up to be a strong contender in the race against other potential buyers.

Friedman noted that Reynolds' bid has gained significant traction in recent weeks, with some other bidders concerned that if it comes down to the wire, Reynolds' group may have the momentum to push their bid over the finish line.

Los Angeles-based film producer and entrepreneur Neko Sparks has also expressed his bid for the Ottawa Senators and believes his team can bring just as much to the team and to Ottawa as the Reynolds partnership. He acknowledged that it's unusual to talk about the bid publicly, but he's curious to see how NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reacts to it.

Friedman said:

"Reynolds' train is really going, some of the other bidders know that if its close, Reynold’s’ train might take it over the finish line." said Friedman on 32 Thoughts podcast

He continued:

"Neko Sparks was trying to send a message – we have something special too. I’m curious to see how Bettman reacts to that, because you’re supposed to be quiet about this."

While Reynolds' bid has garnered a lot of attention, Friedman also pointed out that other bidders, such as Neko Sparks and Rimmington, have put forward competitive offers. However, it seems that Reynolds' group has established itself as a frontrunner in the process.

"But the bid from Rimmington was very competitive," said Friedman. "I think it’s a situation where some of the other groups are understanding that it's gonna be tough to beat the Reynold’s train."

Despite the competitive bids, Friedman also noted that the timeline for the sale process is always uncertain, and it's impossible to predict when a final decision will be made. However, he expects that Reynolds' bid will be one to watch as the process moves forward.

"The timeline of this entire thing really doesn't mean anything, it never happens when it is supposed to happen. Curious to see how this thing ends," said Friedman.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Reportedly Joins Bidding War for Ownership of Ottawa Senators

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is reportedly teaming up with the Neko Sparks Group to bid for ownership of the Ottawa Senators NHL team, adding to his portfolio of sports ownership.

The team has had a tumultuous past under former owner Eugene Melnyk, leading to a heated bidding war since his passing. Johnson's involvement could bring a fresh perspective and potentially improve the team's on-ice performance.

With his experience in owning the XFL, Johnson could leverage his business acumen and connections to create a winning formula for the Ottawa Senators, but there are no guarantees of any bidding war.