Report – Canadiens minority stake sold at record $2.5B valuation

Michael Andlauer, the prominent businessman who acquired the Ottawa Senators for an astounding $950 million in September, has now made headlines by selling his 10% minority interest in the esteemed Montreal Canadiens for a record-breaking enterprise value estimated at $2.5 billion, according to a report by Sportico on Wednesday.

It turns out that the Molson family, who already have a controlling stake in the Canadiens, exercised their option of first right to purchase Andlauer’s stake.

Interestingly, this sale was a requisite as per the agreement when Andlauer bought the Senators, making it the highest-ever recorded standalone NHL team sale.

Just this summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs were valued at a staggering $8 billion, but that valuation was for a stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which encompasses the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC.

Andlauer, who is the founder and CEO of Andlauer Healthcare Group, has held a minority ownership position in the Canadiens since 2009 when the Molson family acquired the team from George Gillett at a price of $575 million.

To add to his portfolio, Andlauer’s group also acquired the Ottawa Senators’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators, from the estate of Eugene Melnyk. However, the Melnyk estate retained a 10% interest in the club.

Despite reaching out for comments, the Canadiens and Senators did not respond to Sportico’s requests, while the NHL chose to withhold comment.