NEW YORK — The NHL board of governors unanimously approved the sale of the Edmonton Oilers to Canadian billionaire Daryl Katz, and the purchase of the Tampa Bay Lightning by a group of investors led by Hollywood producer Oren Koules and former player Len Barrie.
Both deals were approved Wednesday at the board of governors meeting in New York in advance of this weekend’s NHL draft in Ottawa.
Katz, the owner of the Rexall drugstore chain, agreed in February to buy 100 percent of shares owned by the 34-member Edmonton Investors Group for nearly $200 million. He offered to pay about $22,000 for each of the 7,492 shares — a deal that represented twice the original purchase price.
“I am very pleased to have received the Board of Governors’ unanimous approval,” Katz said in a statement.
Koules’ OK Hockey group also reached a deal in February to buy the Lightning for $206 million and existing debt from Michigan-based Palace Sports & Entertainment.
Niedermayer to announce intentions.
Scott Niedermayer will announce whether he’ll play one more season, and this time the Ducks hope the defenseman sticks with his decision one way or the other.
Niedermayer plans to inform the Ducks whether he’ll come back before the NHL draft in Ottawa on Friday.
The Associated Press
