Shocking accusations made against NHL owner in $1.55M lawsuit from former executive.

Some unbelievable things being claimed in lawsuit.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Shocking accusations made against NHL owner in $1.55M lawsuit from former executive.

One National Hockey League owner has an incredibly embarrassing scandal on his hands in the form of a lawsuit from a former executive.

According to a report from Wayne Scanlan, former Chief Marketing Officer for the Ottawa Senators, Peter O’Leary, is suing Senators owner Eugene Melnyk for what is allegedly some rather reprehensible behavior. While they remain merely accusations at this stage, when one considers the reputation Melnyk has for being notoriously cheap, some of O'Leary's claims seem to fit that pattern of behavior. Of course O'Leary is likely aware of Melnyk's reputation and may merely be trying to capitalize on it.

Here is how one particular e-mail interaction between the two men went according to the lawsuit. From the Ottawa Citizen:

“How and when did you get the title of Chief Marketing Officer?” Melnyk asks O’Leary in an email included in the statement of claim.

“Peter — all time lows under my watch. Start thinking you are OFF all other projects other than selling immediate tickets. Drop the CMO title – MARKETING??? Drop the 2017 stuff, how are you making us money??? I lose millions this way . . . you will force us to start laying off dozens of people the day after the season. . .” 

Melnyk's complaints were as a result of poor performance from the marketing department, but in a damning segment from Scanlan's report, O'Leary alleges that constant cutbacks forced professional staff to serve as janitors.

O’Leary claims it was difficult retaining and attracting staff when the hockey club reduced net pay and was late on bonus pay. He alleges the Senators made all departments reduce spending by 10 per cent, which led to personnel reductions, including janitors. As a result, “professional staff were required to clean offices and empty garbage bins.”

It's important to note that at this stage of the lawsuit, these are still just allegations from O'Leary, and even once the lawsuit is completed we are unlikely to ever learn how true or untrue these accusations against the Senators owner really are. There is one thing for certain though, O'Leary is looking to shine an ugly light on the business practices of Eugene Melnyk and his lawyer's made that very clear:

“Mr. O’Leary pleads that the Ottawa Senators actions in this matter are of such a reprehensible nature that damages should deter the Senators from any such future conduct.”

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