The Ottawa Citizen rejected a request from the Ottawa Senators to take down a video that shows several players criticizing the team and its coaching staff while in an Uber, according to The Canadian Press.
None of the players knew they were being recorded while taking the Uber in Phoenix, and Senators forward Matt Duchene later apologized to assistant coach Martin Raymond, who was the primary target of criticism.
Lawyers representing the Senators wrote to the Ottawa Citizen's editor-in-chief, Michelle Richardson, requesting that the video be taken down due to violating the players' privacy and not being a matter of public interest. However, Richardson argued that there is public interest in the Senators, which extends beyond their on-ice presentation.
"We will always protect the best interests of our team," Senators COO Nicolas Ruszkowski said in a statement relayed by TSN's Ian Mendes. "Martin Raymond and our players have earned our support through years of hard work, leadership, and devotion to their community. Privacy is paramount, and we won't allow a precedent to be set in which peoples' reputations can be impaired by voyeuristic journalism."
Duchene, Thomas Chabot, Chris Wideman, Colin White, Chris Tierney, Alex Formenton, and Dylan DeMelo were the players captured in the video.
Ottawa defeated New Jersey 7-3 on Tuesday evening.
