After confirming his intention to try to be part of an ownership group for the Ottawa Senators on Monday, Canadian movie star and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds was introduced to the crowd at Canadian Tire Centre as the Senators took on the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
Reynolds was sitting next to former Senator Chris Phillips and was projected on the jumbotron during a TV timeout in the first period.
The Vancouver native, who also co-owns Welsh soccer club Wrexham A.F.C., received an ovation from the crowd and stick taps from some Senators players.
Reynolds appeared on The Tonight Show Monday night and confirmed his interest to acquire the Senators but stressed he needed “a partner with really deep pockets.”
During a press conference in Winnipeg Tuesday afternoon, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman commented on Reynolds’ appearance.
“He was quite articulate on The Tonight Show Last Night with Jimmy Fallon that he’d be very interested and he’s needs either a sugar mommy or a sugar daddy,” Bettman said. “A lot of money to help – I think those were his exact words that I’m quoting. Listen, anything that that engages a fan base, that brings a lot of attention to the franchise is a plus. He’s very popular and well respected person.”
The Senators announced last week the club is for sale with one of the conditions being that the team must stay in Ottawa.
The decision to sell comes about eight months after the death of longtime team owner Eugene Melnyk in March. Melnyk bought the team in 2003. His two adult daughters, Anna and Olivia Melnyk, inherited the franchise.
