Snoop Dogg emerges as member of group interested in buying NHL's Senators

Could "The Next Episode" of Snoop Dogg's career be as owner of an NHL franchise?

According to a report in The Athletic and confirmed on Instagram by the hip-hop artist himself, Snoop Dogg is part of the ownership group fronted by Neko Sparks, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and producer, that is attempting to buy the Ottawa Senators.

"Amazing what @neko_sparks is trying to do in Ottawa & I'm looking forward to being apart (sic) of that ownership team. I WANNA BRING HOCKEY TO OUR COMMUNITY," Snoop Dogg wrote on Instagram in a caption to a photo that showed Sparks as a cutout in front of some Senators players.

The investment group is comprised of more than 12 investors, most of whom are people of color, The Athletic reported, citing an unnamed source that said Snoop Dogg is "legitimately excited. He wants this team."

The Ottawa Sun reported April 22 that final bids are due May 15, and seven ownership groups are in the running, including one with actor Ryan Reynolds and the Remington Group, which is considered the favorite. The final sale price could reach at least $1 billion, according to The Athletic.

Snoop Dogg has not been a stranger to hockey, working with NHL.com in 2018 on a video series, "Hockey 101 with Snoop Dogg," and helping call a Los Angeles Kings-Pittsburgh Penguins game in 2019. He was also featured as a commentator and player in the EA Sports NHL 20 video game.

The Athletic said that Snoop Dogg would plan to attend some Senators home games and join the TSN broadcast booth during the season if his group were to win.

Longtime Senators owner Eugene Melnyk died in March 2022 at age 62, and the team went up for sale Nov. 4, 2022.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Snoop Dogg, NHL in future? Artist part of Senators buying bid