As long as this franchise is running under an unnecessary budget, Melnyk will always be front and centre.
Want to fade into the background? Spend on all aspect of this organization, become a cap team, resign as CEO and NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.
Just so we're clear, the "unnecessary budget" is something that you have made up right? I mean there is no evidence to suggest that the Senators are making a bunch of money and EM is refusing to spend it on the team, while there are many signs to point to the idea that the Sens aren't making very much money and have had to cut employees and reduce player and operating budgets. Keep in mind that we do spend around 70million a year and are not a cap floor team.
I understand people being angry at him for what he said, but you're different. You've created a factbase out of thin air and are basing a personal hatred on it. Doesn't that bother you? It bothers me.
He's not going to sell the team he owns because you don't like him. It's not your team, you're just a sucker fan who irrationally hates him but can't seem to move on from the product. Other folks who are upset at the man could likely have fences mended if he stopped speaking publicly, continued to invest in signing our core players, and gradually increased the budget as fans start to return.
The three biggest things he can do to help mend the divide between fan and owner are 1) stay out of the public eye, 2) make sure EK is signed long term, 3) move the team into a downtown arena. With a good PR team on the payroll he should be able to achieve all of these things in short order.
At some point you're going to have to accept that this isn't Berlin, the Sens aren't the Berlin Wall, and you're not a social justice crusader. The Sens are a private business owned by a private citizen, Ottawa does not own the team, you have no rights over how the team is run, or whether to team stays or goes. All you can do is spend your money elsewhere, and try and take as many folks with you. Unlike the Berlin Wall coming down, I don't support your message or your motives, and I don't support your means either.
I want what is best for the team, and this #melnykout stuff is counter productive beyond sending EM a clear message that folks are unhappy. I personally hope he hears the criticisms and takes care of my above three points. Most fans will come back to the fold after that I believe.
Your hate is irrational (we talkin' 'bout hockey???) and the only realistic out for you is to cash in your Sens fan card and switch teams to one that has a more likeable owner.