from Ian Mendes of The Athletic.

After his appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday, there were considerable questions about Snoop’s commitment level to the city of Ottawa. Many took his passionate conversation with Stephen A. Smith about growing the sport at the grassroots level and exposing it to a more diverse crowd to mean that Snoop didn’t particularly care in which city his NHL team was located. After listening to him speak, there were some fans who believe Snoop would be a better fit in an American market like Atlanta or Houston, where he could truly unleash his plan to expose the sport to a brand new crowd.

So as part of his extended conversation with The Athletic, Snoop was asked directly why he is attracted to owning the Senators in particular.

“I want Ottawa because Ottawa wants me. It’s a thriving city. The team is going to make a U-turn once we get ownership,” says Snoop. “The players are inspired. The community is inspired. I felt like this is what Ottawa needs.”

Snoop expanded on his fondness for Ottawa. He still has the Ray Emery jersey that was gifted to him by the late Ottawa netminder prior to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. And inside his personal weight room, there is a large picture of Snoop wearing an Erik Karlsson in the white Heritage ‘O’ Senators jersey, taken when he was a headliner at Ottawa Bluesfest in 2014.

He believes there is a special connection between himself and the city of Ottawa.

“I love the city. Every time I’ve come through the city, they’ve rolled out the red carpet for me. The fans, the city. Everyone. It’s been nothing but love,” Snoop says. “When you go around the world as much as I have, there are certain places that stick out in your heart. Everywhere I go in Canada, it’s always been love, but there’s something about Ottawa. And the opportunity for the team to be bought? It’s impeccable timing right now.”

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