One of hip hop’s most recognizable artists is now part of an Los Angeles based bid to buy the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.

Snoop Dogg, who has been wearing NHL jerseys in videos and other television appearances for years, has joined LA producer Neko Sparks in his quest to purchase the Senators.

Snoop Dogg on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ this morning talking about his interest to purchase the Ottawa Senators. pic.twitter.com/4qg7h98GQ3

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) May 2, 2023

“I’ve been watching hockey for about 25 years now and I watch more and more kids that look like me play the game, but I’m not seeing it being offered to the kids over here in America,” Snoop Dogg said yesterday.

“I’ve been down with the NHL for a long time. I’ve been going to games, announcing games, being part of the society, so this opportunity came in order for me to be part of the ownership of the Ottawa Senators.”

Snoop also said he wanted to start a youth hockey league to foster the talent of kids who would normally not have the opportunity to hit the ice. Snoop’s vision is to bring the sport to priority communities that are “poverty stricken,” similar to how various neighbouorhoods in the US have used youth football and basketball leagues to keep kids off the streets.

Snoop Dogg confirms he is part of an ownership group trying to buy the Ottawa Senators 👀

HOCKEY NEEDS MORE SNOOP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PdH1JIwsgj

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2023

“Right now the NBA and the NHL are having some great playoff games. The kids need to know that there is an option to play hockey if you look like me,” Snoop said. He also iterated that starting a youth hockey league can help people “find a way to become more family and more organized, and find ways to do things.”

“Now these kids can learn how to play the sport. They can understand that this is another way out. You don’t have to play football or basketball or baseball —here’s another option.”

One of the motivations for Snoop’s hockey ambitions stems from his hope that he might become the first black owner of an NHL team. Other hip hop artists like Killer Mike and The D.O.C. have spoken extensively about the importance of black ownership and a chance to create a self-sustaining black marketplace to uplift communities across America.

Sparks and Snoop have a steep hill to climb in their bid, which includes Canadian Hollywood icon Ryan Reynolds, who teamed up with The Remington Group, a real estate developer.