The ownership group including Snoop Dogg has added another big-name partner in its bid to buy the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
Jamaican sprinter Donovan Bailey, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder in the 100 meters, announced Friday he’s joining the prospective ownership group headed by Los Angeles-based producer and entrepreneur Neko Sparks.
“I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be joining the first black led ownership group with Snoop Dogg and Neko Sparks in our bid to purchase the Ottawa Senators,” Bailey tweeted.
I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be joining the first black led ownership group with @SnoopDogg and @Neko_Sparks in our bid to purchase the Ottawa Senators #THEChamp#undisputed #ownership #RunningThingsPodcast #Sens pic.twitter.com/S3A70X1iAL
— Donovan Bailey (@donovanbailey) May 19, 2023
The Senators went up for sale in November, after the death earlier in the year of longtime owner Eugene Melnyk at age 62. The team is widely expected to sell for up to $1 billion, which would be an NHL record. The Pittsburgh Penguins sold for $900 million in 2021.
A number of prospective owners have announced their intent, notably The Remington Group, which includes actor Ryan Reynolds; billionaires Jeffrey and Michael Kimel; and investor Michael Andlauer.
Bailey, 55, certainly adds star power to Sparks’ bid. The sprinter won the gold medal in the 100 meters in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, setting a world record time of 9.84 seconds. He also added a gold in the 4 x 100 meter relay.
