Senators deny talk of franchise sale

The Ottawa Senators are not for sale.

Team president Tom Anselmi made that clear Thursday, denying speculation the club could soon see a change in ownership.

"There's nothing to it and I just have no idea where it's from," Anselmi told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen. "We're in the sports business and rumors happen, but there's nothing to it. I don't even want to respond to it to give any credence."

Since 2003, the Senators have been solely owned by Eugene Melnyk, a Canadian billionaire whose background is in the pharmaceutical industry.

However, while the team is not for sale, the Senators continue to work toward a move to downtown Ottawa. The team currently play out of the Canadian Tire Centre in suburban Kanata.

The Senators hope to build a new stadium at LeBreton Flats in downtown Ottawa. Melnyk has since established RendesVouz LeBreton Group, the preferred proponent for the building rights that will lead negotiations with the National Capital Commission.

Should the two sides reach an agreement, the project will then seek municipal and federal approval.