Millions are aware of Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, but most will know him by his musician moniker, The Weeknd. While the 33-year-old Toronto, Ontario native has risen to fame thanks to his enormously successful music career, where he’s won four Grammy Awards and a total of 20 Billboard Music Awards, now the ‘Starboy’ is venturing into the sports franchise ownership business.
Specifically, the Canadian singer and songwriter has joined the bidding process led by Jeffrey and Michael Kimel of the Harlo Capital Group as they submit an offer to purchase the Ottawa Senators.
Having grown up in Toronto, The Weeknd came to love the sport of hockey and has familiar ties to the Ottawa area, making this an ideal fit for the most-streamed artist on Spotify.
“He’s going to be a great partner for Ottawa and the NHL. The team he works with grew up in Ottawa, so they know the market really well, but he’s the largest musician (on the) planet right now. He has the most views, the most streams and he’s a hockey guy.”
Anonymous source close to The Weeknd on the musician’s interest in Ottawa Senators
The deadline for non-binding bids to be submitted is set for May 15, but as many as seven bidding groups are involved. Some of the other big names associated with the eventual NHL team sale include rap artist Snoop Dogg and award-winning actor Ryan Reynolds, who was born in Vancouver and also is a part-owner of the Welsh soccer club Wrexham AFC.
The late Eugene Melnyk originally purchased the Senators for $94 million in 2003. Now 20 years later, reports suggest the Senators could go for as much as $1 billion. We should find out soon enough who the finalists are and if The Weeknd’s bid will be part of the final sale process.
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