Ryan Reynolds at an Ottawa Senators game.Photo: Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty
Ryan Reynoldscan now consider himself aFree Guy, as his bid for ownership of the Ottawa Senators will not move forward.
The actor, 46, previously tossed his name into the mix of celebrities and billionaires who werelooking to purchase the franchise— which reportedly has includedThe Weeknd,Snoop Dogg, and Toronto billionaires Jeffrey and Michael Kimel.
Sources told the outlet that Reynolds, who also owns the Wales soccer team Wrexham A.F.C. with fellow actor Rob McElhenney, and the developer requested an exclusive 30-day window to secure a downtown arena deal, which was ultimately denied — prompting Reynolds to pull out.
Ryan Reynolds.Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty
AForbes valuationhas put the Senators at $800 million, and there’s a May 15 deadline for bids on the NHL franchise, per the outlet.
Back in November, the movie star affirmed hisdesire to buy the Senators, and was met with anovation from fansandstick taps from playerswhile being shown on a jumbotron at a game.
Shortly after, he appeared onThe Tonight Showand toldJimmy Fallonthat he was interested in acquiring the team, but stressed he needed “a partner with really deep pockets,” adding that a “sugar momma” or “sugar daddy” would fit the bill.
“It’s very expensive,” Reynolds said. “And if that doesn’t work out, I’ll buy a U.S. senator, which anyone can afford.”
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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman commented on the Vancouver native’s efforts in November, calling him a “very popular and well-respected person.”
“He was quite articulate onThe Tonight Showlast night with Jimmy Fallon that he’d be very interested, and he needs either a sugar mommy or a sugar daddy,” Bettman said. “Listen, anything that engages a fan base, that brings a lot of attention to the franchise, is a plus.”
Of course, other big names joined the bidding, as theOttawa Sunreportedthis month that The Weeknd, the stage name for 33-year-old Abel Tesfaye, was interested. As previously reported, the team’s price tag may eclipse $1 billion — the most expensive sale in the league’s 106-year history.
“He doesn’t like to be in the media very often so this really says something that he wants to be part of a bid,” a source told theSunof Tesfaye. “He wants to get this deal done, he wants to build something that will be great in Ottawa and he’ll be a good fit. He’s got a lot of connections of worldwide.”
As for the team itself, the Senators missed the playoffs this season and finished with the sixth-worst record out of the Eastern Conference’s 16 teams.
source: people.com
