It was reported yesterday that the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund was looking to sell its 66 percent share in Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Ltd. MLSE is the parent company that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and the Toronto Marlies. In addition to these sports franchises, MLSE also owns Leafs-TV, NBA TV Canada and GolTV as well as the Air Canada Centre, where the Leafs and Raptors play.
In total, the OTPF shares are worth an estimated $1.3 billion to $1.8 billion in Canadian funds.
This news may come as an unexpected but pleasant surprise to many Leafs fans. There have been many arguments over the years that the Leafs ownership has not been focused on winning.
From Harold Ballard to the OTPF, many fans and those in the media have wondered if better ownership might not be the answer to Toronto’s Stanley Cup drought.
During Ballard’s time (1961 to 1990) it got so bad that the Toronto Star would publish news articles every time Ballard would become ill or be admitted to the hospital. These stories did not wish him well or hope that he had a speedy recovery. On the contrary, they were more ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Peter Kleiss
Toronto Maple Leafs Up for Sale: With the Teachers Gone, Who Will Substitute?
March 13th, 2011 by Peter Kleiss Leave a reply »
Advertisement