Is Actor Ryan Reynolds Really Interested in Ownership of the Ottawa Senators?

With the Ottawa Senators now reportedly for sale, an interesting pool of candidates for new ownership is beginning to emerge, but none is quite as interesting as “Deadpool.”

According to People Magazine, quoting an unnamed source, actor Ryan Reynolds is interested in buying the Sens.

As one of the funniest men in Hollywood, it’s not always easy to tell when Reynolds is being serious. But there are three things that lend some credibility to the report.

Reynolds spent part of his childhood growing up in Vanier and has shown his love for the city in the past, generously donating time and money to various local charities. Back in January, Mayor Jim Watson announced the city was even naming a street after him.

On Twitter this week, Reynolds did nothing to dispel the new report when replying to a local hockey fan, who had suggested Reynolds should buy the Senators.

Finally, Reynolds is no stranger to professional sports ownership. In November 2020, he and fellow actor Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) bought a pro soccer team in Wrexham, Wales. Following the takeover, the duo produced an FX docuseries called “Welcome to Wrexham,” and they didn’t just sell off the club after shooting had wrapped up. They still maintain ownership.

The cost of buying the soccer club was said to be $3.4 million, a far cry from the money one would need (probably $750 million-ish) to buy the Ottawa Senators. So the “Deadpool” star would, at most, be jumping in as a minority stakeholder.

Numerous reports continue to insist the bid is, in fact, a serious one. But Reynolds has always been serious about his work, which is mostly comedy. And he’s never minded a good, fun publicity stunt.

He does have a new Christmas comedy to promote, after all.

By Steve Warne