[liamenator]

The team is not moving. The new owners stand to make massive $$$ on real estate development plays around both the new downtown arena, and the land in Kanata where the Canadian Tire Centre & its parking lots currently sit. Hence why Reynolds has partnered with a real estate mogul, Christopher Bratty, who is also a known commodity to the NHL (he was involved in the discussions about a second GTA team like 10 years ago).



The Neko Sparks group had the highest bid in the opening round and even though it's a Hollywood bid, it hasn't generated the sizzle of Reynolds and co. Bringing Snoop aboard feels like a hail mary to generate buzz to compete in the next round. This group is probably the least familiar to the NHL and, as far as I can tell, does not have experience in pro sports ownership. It is by far the most diverse ownership group.



The Andlauer group is a known commodity to the NHL as Andlauer is minority owner of the Habs. He has paid his dues and waited patiently for the chance to get his own team. I think their group also brings real estate development chops. They were first to work with local investors to create a minority ownership stake. But they don't bring the star power and media spotlight of Reynolds.



Ultimately, I think the Reynolds bid is the only one that checks all the boxes: $1B bid, star power and massive marketing opportunities for the league, real estate development chops, experience in pro sports ownership, favour of the NHL brass, support of the fan base. Bringing KZA first nation into the fold in some capacity, as well as Jed York's local investment group, are the last two puzzle pieces. Those seem to now be in place, or are at least close.



I'm speculating, but I would guess a provisional deal with Reynolds and Remington gets announced this week or early next. If Andlauer outbids them by ~10-15%, that probably puts his bid over the top. I think Sparks and Snoop would have to be the highest bid by 20% or more.