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Eugene Melnyk and the Ottawa Senators are coming out of one of the worst weeks in the history of the NHL franchise. Last place in the standings, trading away of key players and now the failure of the $4.1-billion RenezVous LeBrenton partnership are calling into question the relationship that Melnyk has with fans, players, partners, media and politicians.
The National Capital Commission announced Wednesday morning that mediation talks led by retired judge Warren Winkler couldn’t reach a settlement in a dispute among partners of RendezVous LeBreton. It was a frosty relationship going into mediation with Eugene Melnyk suing Trinity Development Group chairman John Ruddy for $700 million dollars and Ruddy countersuing for $1 billion.
Following the NCC announcement, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson indicated that Melnyk did not help the cause with some of his comments. Watson expressed his disappointment with Eugene Melnyk. “I said earlier today one of the frustrations I think in this partnership was Eugene Melnyk,” said Watson. He sighted Melnyk’s musings, around the time of the 2017 NHL outdoor game at TD Place in Ottawa, about not being interested in moving downtown.
However, this is not the first project that has failed to get off the ground for Melnyk. In 2013, when the Ontario government was keen on opening new casinos across the province, Melnyk pitched for one. City council said no. In 2009, he pitched city council on the idea of adding a major soccer complex, complete with a top-tier MLS team, to his suburban hockey arena. Councillors said no, deciding instead to redevelop downtown Lansdowne Park into a home for a new CFL franchise.
In a November 30, 2018 Canadian Press story by David Reevely, it was noted that Senators owner Eugene Melnyk was losing support of both fans and politicians. Ottawa city councillor, Catherine McKenney, who represents the LeBreton Flats area noted “There’s no doubt that there’s a tension in the relationship, and has been for years, between Eugene Melnyk and the residents of Ottawa.” She added, “He’s the head of a popular sports team who has had billboards up asking him to leave. That obviously has an impact on how politicians see the relationship.” She was referring to the billboards that went up, crowdfunded by angry fans, with the Twitter-friendly message #MELNYKOUT. Through a spokesman, Melnyk had declined to comment on his relationship with Ottawa and Ottawans to David Reevely.
The trading of Ottawa folk heroes Alfredsson and Karlsson was viewed by most fans as devastating. Now with top scorers Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel being dealt at the deadline as the club goes through a rebuild, the collapse of the LeBreton deal will be viewed as another blow in what’s been a difficult week for this team.
Dale Harley, President of Harley House Consultants Inc., and the founder of the Relationship Centered Model noted that it is time for Melnyk to start rehabilitating his relationships. Harley stated, “over my thirty-five plus years of experience as a business owner, consultant, communications instructor, media junky, politician, community activist and volunteer, I have seen many organizations succeed and many flounder.” In his experience, the variable that has the greatest impact on the long-term success of any organization is how the organization (whether a private sector firm, public institution, or not for profit organization) manages their relationships and engages with key stakeholders.
To learn more about the Relationship Centered Model, go to: www.RelationshipCenteredModel.com.
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