Rogers Gains Full Control of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

Rogers Communications has signed a $4.35 billion agreement to acquire full ownership of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, impacting the Leafs and Raptors.

Rogers Communications Inc. has signed a monumental agreement valued at $4.35 billion, granting it 100 percent ownership of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), which includes the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors. The announcement was made on Monday, revealing that the acquisition involves purchasing the final 25 percent ownership stake from Kilmer Sports Inc. The deal is expected to be finalized in late 2026, pending necessary league approvals.

With this acquisition, Rogers not only gains control over the hockey and basketball franchises but also over Toronto FC of the MLS and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. Additionally, Rogers already holds ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays and has indicated plans to divest a minority stake in its sports, media, and entertainment assets within the next year.

This full ownership comes at a critical time for the Maple Leafs, who are undergoing significant organizational changes. Under the leadership of president and CEO Keith Pelley, the team has seen the appointment of John Chayka and Mats Sundin in the front office since early May. Following their hiring, the Leafs made a coaching change, firing Craig Berube and replacing him with Jim Hiller.

Shortly after this reshuffle in management, the Leafs experienced a stroke of luck at the draft lottery, securing the No. 1 pick for only the third time in their history. They utilized this desirable first-round selection to choose winger Gavin McKenna, a player slated to be a pivotal figure for the franchise moving forward. Chayka, who is in his first offseason as General Manager, has set about a major roster overhaul that has seen nearly half of the team’s roster turn over. Notably, they have brought on Sergei Bobrovsky as their new No. 1 goaltender, Darren Raddysh as a top defenseman, and added a variety of forwards such as Nick Paul and Colton Sissons, as they aim to return to the playoffs after a disappointing season last year.

Rogers has been proactive with the Raptors since assuming majority control of MLSE. They recently made headlines by firing longtime team president Masai Ujiri shortly after the 2025 NBA Draft. Bobby Webster, Ujiri’s previous deputy, has been retained and awarded a new long-term contract as the team’s chief decision-maker.

Having concluded as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference last season, the Raptors are navigating complexities in their roster dynamics. While company chair Larry Tanenbaum has been a vigorous advocate for basketball within the organization, there have been notable disputes regarding team direction. Tanenbaum’s ambition to introduce a WNBA franchise to Toronto met resistance within the previous management structure, yet he was able to secure a bid for the burgeoning team, the Toronto Tempo, which has commenced play this season.

Controversies surrounding the contract negotiations of Ujiri in 2021 also lingered. Although he played a crucial role in the Raptors’ historic championship victory, his contract expired amid differing opinions regarding his extension among the board. Despite this discord, Ujiri received a five-year contract extension, though he now presides over the Dallas Mavericks, while having joined the Tempo ownership group in March 2026.