Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds is serious about his interest in joining the Ottawa Senators' next ownership group.
Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed Tuesday at the NHL board of governors meetings that he's met with Reynolds about the Senators.
"(Reynolds) very much impressed us," Bettman said, according to ESPN. "If we can figure out a way to have him included, I think that would be great for the Senators and great for the league."
Previous owner Eugene Melnyk died in March, and his daughters Anna and Olivia Melnyk inherited the franchise. In November, a process for the team's sale was initiated. Keeping the team in Ottawa is a precondition of any sale.
Reynolds, a Vancouver native and Canucks fan, confirmed reports that he was interested in purchasing the team when he appeared on "The Tonight Show" last month. He attended a Senators home game the day after the interview.
"I am trying to (buy the team). It's very expensive, so I need a partner with really deep pockets," Reynolds told Fallon. "It's called a consortium, when you form a group to buy an entity."
Reynolds and actor Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC, a club in the fifth tier of English soccer, and produced a Hulu documentary series about their endeavors to turn Wrexham's fortunes around.
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