Vancouver Canucks owner co-owner Francesco Aquilini has settled his potentially very revealing divorce with his wife of 20 years, Taliah, ahead of court proceedings
"This settlement means we will be able to keep our personal lives private and, most importantly, avoid the negative impact of a trial on the children we both love," Aquilini said, via a statement released on Twitter.
"I would also like to thank the many people in our community who have reached out to offer me their support and encouragement."
The Canucks have yet to issue a statement or the news on their website.
The Aquilini family fortune – Francesco is the oldest of his brothers – is estimated to be worth $5 billion, built in land holdings and farms. That total also includes the Vancouver Canucks and Rogers Arena, and B.C. Pizza Hut restaurants.
Taliah had publicly alleged that their marriage broke down because of Francesco's infidelity, and questions around that topic were set to hit open court, before Monday's settlement.
The trial was also set to begin on Monday, although many of the Canucks' owner's personal or professional details – the allegations of adultery or the inner-workings of the NHL club's financial system – would have been contained.