Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews (34) is congratulated after scoring his 50th goal of the season, against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz.Photo by Rick Scuteri/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rogers Communications to buy out Bell’s share of MLSE, which owns the Maple Leafs, for $4.7 billion

Rogers, which owns Sportsnet, already owns Major League Baseball's Blue Jays and its Rogers Centre home

by · National Post

TORONTO — Rogers Communications Inc. is buying out Bell’s 37.5 per cent share of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for $4.7 billion, giving it 75 per cent ownership of the sports conglomerate.

Rogers and Bell had held equal shares of MLSE, which owns the NHL Maple Leafs, NBA Raptors, CFL Argonauts, MLS Toronto FC and AHL Marlies.

MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, via his holding company Kilmer Sports Inc., owns a 20 per cent stake in MLSE after selling a five per cent share to OMERS, a Canadian pension fund, in the summer of 2023.

MLSE threatens to eject fans wearing 'Free Our Hostages' sweatshirts during Raptors gameFans wearing “Free Our Hostages” sweatshirts at a Toronto Raptors game on Tuesday were handed cards notifying them if they did not remove the offensive clothing they would be asked to leave.Ari Blaff, 06 Mar 2024Here's why Leafs should not play hardball with its Core Four playersAccording to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO, Keith Pelley, when it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs, “good is simply not good enough.” So, it should come as no surprise, that following the Leafs’ Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins — that was, their seventh first-round exit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the last eight seasons — significant changes would be necessary. Good — but simply not good enough — coach Sheldon Keefe was first to go.Ryan Clutterbuck, 03 Jun 2024