When reports of Walsh?s candidacy first emerged last week, he was immediately linked to Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, who made multiple donations to Walsh?s political campaigns. The Jacobs Family also organized fundraisers for Walsh?s campaigns through their Delaware North companies where untold monies went into Walsh?s coffers. That information appeared to catch the search firm Russell Reynolds by surprise, sources said, which raised questions about the depth of the firm?s vetting process.
The optics of those donations are less than savory. While many wealthy families routinely support political candidates, Jacobs is the long-standing chairman of the NHL?s Board of Governors and is widely regarded as the most powerful owner in the league ? the exact power that Walsh will now be asked to attempt keep in check as head of the union.
