That is a huge leap in value for the franchise compared to when Gillett paid 8 years ago. He paid something like $275 million - although apparently the new deal includes the Gillett Entertainment group.
Damn. I wanted Celine Dion to buy it. 
Interesting that they got the Bell Centre as part of the deal. The Bell Centre used to be called the Molson Centre, before Bell bought the naming rights for 20 years. Obviously, would make more sense for the Molson-owned Canadians to play in the Molson Centre (like the Rogers-owned Toronto Blue Jays play in the Rogers Centre), but, whatever...
Some history from the Montreal Gazette.
Some history from the Montreal Gazette.
QUOTE
Molson ownership history of the Canadiens: Sept. 24, 1957: Senator Hartland deM. Molson and his brother, Thomas H.P. Molson, buy the Canadiens and the Canadian Arena Co. from Senator Donat Raymond and Canadian Arena Co. vice-president William Northey. Purchase price not disclosed.
May 15, 1964: Senator Molson and Thomas Molson sell the Canadiens and the Canadian Arena Co. to their cousins, J. David, William A. and Peter B. Molson for approximately $5 million.
Dec. 30, 1971: Brothers David, William and Peter Molson sell the Canadian Arena Co. and the Canadiens to Placements Rondelle Ltée. for about $15 million. This syndicate, whose main shareholders are brothers Peter and Edward Bronfman, will later become Carena Bancorp.
Aug. 4, 1978: Molson Breweries of Canada Ltd., under the terms of an agreement with Carena Bancorp, acquire the Canadiens and sign a long-term lease on the Forum covering the operation of the team as well as the entertainment division.
June 22, 1993: Ground-breaking ceremonies are held for the Canadiens' new arena, the Molson Centre.
March 16, 1996: The Canadiens play their first game in the Molson (later renamed Bell) Centre.
Dec. 31, 2001: Molson Inc. announces the acquisition of 80.1 per cent of the Canadiens and 100 per cent of the Molson Centre by American businessman George N. Gillett Jr. The deal is valued at $275 million. Molson Inc. retains a 19.9 per cent stake in the hockey team. The transaction is approved by the NHL Board of Governors on June 19, 2001.
May 15, 1964: Senator Molson and Thomas Molson sell the Canadiens and the Canadian Arena Co. to their cousins, J. David, William A. and Peter B. Molson for approximately $5 million.
Dec. 30, 1971: Brothers David, William and Peter Molson sell the Canadian Arena Co. and the Canadiens to Placements Rondelle Ltée. for about $15 million. This syndicate, whose main shareholders are brothers Peter and Edward Bronfman, will later become Carena Bancorp.
Aug. 4, 1978: Molson Breweries of Canada Ltd., under the terms of an agreement with Carena Bancorp, acquire the Canadiens and sign a long-term lease on the Forum covering the operation of the team as well as the entertainment division.
June 22, 1993: Ground-breaking ceremonies are held for the Canadiens' new arena, the Molson Centre.
March 16, 1996: The Canadiens play their first game in the Molson (later renamed Bell) Centre.
Dec. 31, 2001: Molson Inc. announces the acquisition of 80.1 per cent of the Canadiens and 100 per cent of the Molson Centre by American businessman George N. Gillett Jr. The deal is valued at $275 million. Molson Inc. retains a 19.9 per cent stake in the hockey team. The transaction is approved by the NHL Board of Governors on June 19, 2001.
So essentially Molson has bought, sold, bought, sold and bought again? Talk about fickle.
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