The controversy surrounding disgruntled Ottawa Senators winger Dany Heatley is having an impact on the team's ticket sales.
During a breakfast meeting at Ottawa City Hall this week, Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder confirmed that the ongoing saga of Heatley's trade request is hurting the organization at the box office.
"Yes," Leeder said, when asked if there is a correlation between slow tickets sales and the difficulty the Senators are having with trading Heatley. "Some people have outright said, 'We are not renewing our tickets."'
Leeder couldn't quantify how much money the club has lost.
He said the Heatley situation isn't the only factor causing financial woes for the Senators this season.
The recession and the fact the team failed to make the playoffs last season for the first time in a decade are also adding to the financial pressure.
Leeder said April was weak for season ticket renewals, but sales picked up in August.