Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk quickly backtracked Tuesday after sharing his plan to have thousands of fans attend games at the team's arena.
Melnyk tweeted out his vision Tuesday at around noon ET but deleted it less than two hours later.
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has deleted this tweet about a plan to allow 6,000 fans into Canadian Tire Centre this season. pic.twitter.com/5B0NapuY8r
— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) January 12, 2021
Shortly before Melnyk deleted the tweet, Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said, "Those aren't the conversations we're having at this time," when asked if his team hoped to have fans in attendance at Scotiabank Arena, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Melnyk's plan, which he first publicized in an interview last week, is still featured on his personal website.
Ontario continues to experience a surge in COVID-19 cases amid a lockdown that will extend until at least Jan. 23. It declared a second provincial emergency - including a stay-at-home order and enhanced enforcement measures - on Tuesday.
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