Ex-F1 owner eyes Toronto Maple leafs hockey team

Toronto billionaire Alex Shnaider, a one-time team owner in the prestigious Formula One auto racing circuit, has his sights set on another blue-chip sports investment: the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Shnaider has been consulting in recent weeks with investment bank and industry contacts about how much money it would take to pry the Leafs' parent company – Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment – away from its owners, say two sources familiar with the matter.

A spokesperson for the Russian-born Shnaider confirmed to the Toronto Star that he has "initial interest" in the juggernaut sports holding company.