The Katz Group announced plans for a new sports and entertainment company, and said a former head of Hockey Canada would play a major role in the company.
Katz Group officials announced Bob Nicholson will join the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG), a new company that will manage Katz Group sports and entertainment assets, and operate the new Rogers Place.
Nicholson comes to the organization after retiring as President and CEO of Hockey Canada – officials said he will assume the new role after a brief transition period.
“Bob Nicholson is an exceptional talent, with a world-class reputation and deep relationships across the hockey world, from junior player development to world-scale events and large corporate sponsors,” Daryl Katz said in a press release. “He has been an innovator in driving new sport-based revenue models and we feel very fortunate he has chosen to move to Edmonton and become part of our team as we build a leading Canadian sports and entertainment company.”
In his new role, Nicholson will work with Katz, Kevin Lowe and Patrick LaForge – Lowe has also been named Vice-Chairmain, and LaForge is the President and Chief Operating Officer of OEG, in addition to being responsible for the group’s business operations.
OEG owns the Edmonton Oilers, the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Oklahoma City Barons and the Bakersfield Condors.
