Oshawa Generals proprietor Rocco Tullio stated to be in working to purchase NHL’s Ottawa Senators

Is he in the running to buy the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators, or isn’t he?

Oshawa Generals owner Rocco Tullio isn’t saying.

The rumor that the Windsor-based owner of Rock Developments is one of a larger number of bidders for the NHL team are rampant, but Tullio, who has owned the local junior hockey franchise since 2007, said, “Right now, I want to remain quiet.”

The bidding for the NHL team, which came up for sale after the death of longtime owner Eugene Melnyk, is still in the early days, and a number of prominent names have come up. The team is currently under the control of sisters Olivia and Anna Melnyk, the daughters of Eugene Melnyk. Melnyk bought the team for $92 million in 2003.

Included among other rumored interested bidders is Paul Rivett, who, along with business partner Jordan Bitove, created NordStar Capital, which bought Torstar in 2020. Torstar also owns Metroland.

“No comment from me,” said Rivett when asked about the reports of his interest in the team.

The Senators are valued at $655 million (US), according to sports business website Sportico.com, but could sell for more, especially in a bidding war.

Other rumored bidders include:

• Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds.

• Billionaire Michael Andlauer, already part owner of the Montreal Canadiens and the Hamilton Bulldogs.

• Jeffrey and Michael Kimmel, who last year sold off their shares in the Pittsburgh Penguins.

— With files from Torstar

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