Celine Dion may buy Canadiens
Published: 09 April, 2009, 17:00
AFP Photo DDP/ Michael Gottschalk
Canadian pop star Celine Dion has emerged as a potential bidder for the storied Montreal Canadiens NHL team.
On Wednesday, it became known that the Bank of Montreal had signed confidentiality agreements with 10 potential suitors who have until 5 p.m. Thursday to submit formal bids to 80 percent majority owner George Gillett, who has also co-owns English football giant Liverpool.
Who are the Canadiens?
Founded in 1909, the Canadiens are the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team and the only continuously operating club to predate the founding of the NHL.
The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups, including their first in 1916, before the NHL existed, which is the league’s record.
Other interested parties include Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte; Quebec cable giant Quebecor Media; U.S. investment firm Spectrum Equity; Montreal businessman Stephen Bronfman of Claridge Investments, a cousin of Warner Music Group chairman and CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr.; and the Caisse de Depot et Placement, a provincial pension fund giant.
In addition to picking up the hockey team, a Canadiens buyer would acquire the Bell Center arena in Montreal and a concert promotion division.
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