Legendary rapper and business mogul Snoop Dogg wants to own the Ottawa Senators to grow the game of hockey in urban communities and start a youth hockey league in the US, according to an interview aired on ESPN First take on Tuesday morning.
Snoop Dogg announced on Instagram Monday that he is joining Los Angeles-based producer Neko Sparks’ ownership bid, hours after it was first reported by CBC Ottawa sports contributor Ian Mendes.
“I’ve been watching hockey for about 25 years now and I’ve been watching more and more kids who look like me play the game, but I don’t see it being offered to kids here in America,” Snoop Dogg said Tuesday.
“I’ve been in the NHL for a long time. I’ve been going to games, announcing games, being part of the community, so this opportunity came to become part of the Ottawa Senators property. “
Snoop Dogg said he would use the team’s ownership as a launch pad to create a new youth hockey league that would mirror his successful youth soccer and basketball leagues.
He also spoke about bringing hockey to urban communities that are “riddled with gangs” and “riddled with poverty.”
“Right now the NBA and NHL are having some great playoff games. The kids need to know that if you look like me, there’s an option to play hockey,” he said, adding that sports can help people “find a way to become more family and more organized, and.” Finding ways to get things done.”
“Now these kids can learn how to play this sport. You can understand that this is another way out. You don’t have to play football or basketball or baseball – here’s another option.”
Black ownership a key motivation
Snoop also told ESPN host Stephen A. Smith he jumped at the opportunity to join the ownership offer to boost the possibility of an NHL team’s first black majority owner.
NBA legend Michael Jordan is the only black majority owner of a major sports franchise.
“We can actually own a franchise and change the face of hockey and probably change the face of the world by bringing those worlds together,” he said.
Canadian-born Hollywood star and business mogul Ryan Reynolds remains the most recognizable face in a senatorial run to date. He is a partner of the Remington Group.
In late March, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said six bidders were still competing for the Senators’ ownership.
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