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To complicate matters further, Takashi Okubo had never attended a game, conducted an interview, or even met with the Esposito Brothers or NHL officials. Rumors started to swirl about the true nature of his investment, leading to increasing tension around the franchise.
Legal Troubles and Gangster Accusations
The saga took an even darker turn when developer Mark Ganis filed a lawsuit against Okubo regarding a failed arena deal. This lawsuit included accusations implying that Okubo was linked to organized crime, or as Ganis stated, he was “a gangster.” The repercussions of such allegations could not be understated, as they threatened to tarnish the NHL’s reputation just as the league was trying to expand.