Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro signs five-year extension

Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro is widely seen as a favorite to become the next MLB commissioner whenever that job next opens. 

For now, however, Shapiro isn't going anywhere. 

The Blue Jays confirmed on Wednesday that Shapiro has signed a five-year contract extension. 

“From a personal and professional standpoint, I am thrilled to continue being a Toronto Blue Jay,” Shapiro said for the prepared statement. "I am fortunate to work with exceptional people and am proud of the progress we have made together, to build a culture, community, and clubhouse that our incredible fans can cheer on. Living in Toronto and Canada has been life changing for me and my family and I am excited to experience the feeling of winning a championship with this city and country. I would like to thank (Rogers Communications and Blue Jays chairman) Edward Rogers, the Rogers family, and the Rogers executive leadership team for their support and commitment over the past five years and in the years to come.”

Shapiro made the jump from the front office of the Cleveland Indians to Toronto in October 2015 and helped the Blue Jays make the playoffs the subsequent season. He then executed a necessary rebuild that saw Toronto return to the postseason this past fall.

The Blue Jays fell to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 American League Wild Card Series.

“Mark’s leadership and commitment to excellence have been critical to the team’s growth and development,” Edward Rogers added. "We are extremely pleased that Mark will continue to lead the Toronto Blue Jays and build on the team’s progress as we work towards our goal of bringing a World Series championship back to Canada.”

Under Shapiro's watch, the Blue Jays have completed renovations at their spring training complex and TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla., where Toronto may have to host regular-season games for at least a portion of the upcoming campaign because of travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.