"An anonymous group of Edmonton investors has put in a
secret bid to purchase the NHL Oilers," according to Darcy
Henton of the TORONTO STAR. Economic Development Edmonton
head Rick LeLacheur delivered the bid on behalf of the
unidentified investors and said that no details of the
US$70M offer have been released nor has a deadline been set
to complete the deal (TORONTO STAR, 9/18). In Edmonton,
Bernard Pilon reports that the "mystery bidders" have formed
Edmonton Investors Group Ltd. Lawyer John Butler, who is
representing the group, would not identify the bidders,
saying, "This (deal) will not happen overnight and it will
not happen in the media." Both Butler and LeLacheur
"pleaded with reporters not to hound investors -- known to
include" Vancouver media investor Cathy Roozen and computer
software entrepreneur Bruce Saville. Midland Walwyn, which
is overseeing sale, will now examine the bid, the "first
solid pitch" since Oilers Owner Peter Pocklington put the
team up for sale in June (EDMONTON SUN, 9/18). The STAR's
Henton writes that the report of Roozen and Saville heading
the group "has not been confirmed" (TORONTO STAR, 9/18).
