Will Molson Coors sell-off racing assets?

Molson Coors Brewing Co., the world's No. 5 beer maker, will consider whether to sell assets, including its minority stake in the Montreal Canadians hockey team, during the next year as it focuses on beer operations. Also, the company has completed a preliminary assessment of its troubled Brazilian operations to be presented to its board of directors today, chief executive Leo Kiely said at the company's annual meeting Wednesday in Montreal.

Molson Coors, created by the $3.4 billion merger of Golden-based Adolph Coors Co. and Molson Inc. in February, owns 19.9 percent of the Canadians, one of hockey's more storied franchises. Montreal-based Molson Inc., which bought the Canadians in 1978, sold control of the team to Colorado businessman George Gillett for $220 million in 2001.

Besides the Canadians, Molson Coors' non-beer assets include Molson Sports & Entertainment, which promotes sports events and rock concerts. In November, Molson canceled its 15-year sponsorship of the Vancouver Champ Car World Series auto race. Bloomberg News [Editor's Note: Although there is currently no hint that they will be selling off their Champ Car assets, we would not be surprised to see Kevin Kalkhoven snatch them up as OWRS is getting wise and playing like the France family in NASCAR – own the series as well as many of the key races so you can control your own destiny.]