Michael Andlauer has agreement to buy Ottawa Senators

A group led by Michael Andlauer has emerged from a long and public bidding process with an agreement in principle to be the new owner of the Ottawa Senators.

The team announced the deal in a news release, saying he would purchase 90 per cent of the team. It did not list a purchase price.

"Subject to approval by both the National Hockey League and finalization of the sale process, Andlauer will assume control of the organization's operations," the Senators said.

The 57-year-old based in Toronto is currently a minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens and owns the Brantford Bulldogs junior hockey team, which he bought and moved from Belleville to Hamilton in 2015.

He has founded and led transportation and health-care companies, along with the Bulldog Capital Partners merchant bank.

The board of directors of Senators Sports & Entertainment began the process to sell the team last November after the death of owner Eugene Melnyk in March 2022.

Melnyk, who purchased the team and Canadian Tire Centre in 2003 for $130 million US, left the franchise to his daughters Anna and Olivia. The sisters would keep 10 per cent of the team.

"A condition of any sale will be that the team remains in Ottawa," the team said when announcing the sale.

Along with Andlauer, three other groups had submitted final bids by the May 15 deadline, according to Sportsnet and Postmedia: 

The process garnered a lot of press due in large part to the number of celebrities believed to be involved in the process.

Rapper Snoop Dogg, who was part of Sparks' star-studded bid, alluded to reports that a First Nations group would have an equity stake, without giving specifics.

Multiple media outlets reported in May that real estate developers Remington Group dropped out