The Brantford Bulldogs are staying in Brantford for the long term, committing to a lease agreement that will see them as the anchor tenant of the city’s proposed new sports and entertainment centre near the Civic Centre.
At a press conference held today at the Hampton by Hilton, Mayor Kevin Davis confirmed the Bulldogs’ commitment to an initial 15-year lease, with five additional five-year renewal terms, totaling up to 40 years. The agreement is contingent on the completion of the new sports and entertainment centre.
“This commitment ensures the Bulldogs will remain in Brantford for up to 40 years,” said Davis. “We began discussions in earnest in November, shortly after council approved moving forward with the next stage of the project in October. Earlier this week, we finalized the agreement with the Hyman family and the Bulldogs organization, solidifying them as our anchor tenant for the facility.”
The Hyman family, which now owns the Bulldogs, includes Stuart Hyman and his sons Spencer and Zach Hyman, the Edmonton Oilers winger. Zach Hyman expressed excitement about the team’s future in Brantford and his plans to become involved in the community.
“To the people of Brantford, I can’t wait to be embedded in the community,” said Hyman via Zoom. “I can’t wait to continue the great charitable work that’s been done here, grow the fanbase, and support our players on and off the ice.”
Outgoing Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer, who also owns the Ottawa Senators and Belleville Senators, reflected on his decision to sell the team after owning it for the past decade, including overseeing its move from Hamilton to Brantford in 2023.
“I turned 60 on Christmas Day and realized I can only be in one place at a time,” Andlauer said. “I’ve poured my heart into the Bulldogs, but my new priorities with the Senators made me feel like an absentee owner here. Meeting the Hyman family, I realized they shared my passion for hockey. I couldn’t imagine a better family to take the team forward.”
Stuart Hyman thanked Andlauer for the opportunity, pledging to build on the foundation he created. “From the bottom of our hearts, we’ll give everything to Brantford to carry on your legacy and do everything we can for the kids and the community,” Hyman said.
With the lease agreement finalized, the city will now move forward with the next steps in the project. Mayor Davis explained that the design phase will begin shortly, alongside a financing plan that includes securing a naming sponsor and additional fundraising efforts.
“The lease agreement with the Bulldogs as our anchor tenant is critical to the success of this project,” Davis said. “The next step is designing the facility, determining what it will look like, and finalizing the financial structure.”
The new sports and entertainment centre is expected to serve as a hub for hockey, entertainment, and community events, with its location near the Civic Centre placing it in a central and accessible part of the city.
With the Bulldogs secured as a long-term tenant, Brantford is set to move forward with a project that city officials see as a major step in revitalizing the area and enhancing the city’s role as a regional destination.
