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Rogers Communication appears to be taking over the majority share of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment and its subsidiaries including the Toronto Raptors.
The Canadian telecommunications giant has reportedly acquired a 37.5% stake in MLSE from BCE Inc., formerly Bell Canada Enterprises Inc., per Sportico. The deal is worth CA $4.7 billion and values MLSE at $9.3 billion. The acquisition will give Rogers a 75% stake in the company.
Canadian entrepreneur Larry Tanenbaum owns the remaining portion of MLSE worth 25%.
This is the latest in a series of changes for MLSE. Tanenbaum began the process of selling off a portion of his ownership stake last season as he worked with the WNBA to bring a women's basketball to Toronto. The organization also named Keith Pelley as its new CEO, replacing interim CEO Cynthia Devine who had been in charge since 2022.
In addition to the Raptors, MLSE owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies, Toronto Argos, and Toronto FC. Rogers also owns 100% of the Toronto Blue Jays who are unaffiliated with MLSE.
It's unclear what kind of impact the acquisition will have on the Raptors organization. However, Rogers chairman Edward Rogers reportedly fought against efforts to re-sign Raptors president Masai Ujiri in 2021, per The Toronto Star. Ujiri's current contract is set to expire in 2026, per Sportsnet. It's unclear what his future will hold in Toronto following the expiration of his current deal.
Bell and Rogers have jointly owned MLSE since 2012 when the two telecommunication companies purchased the controlling portion from the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan for CA$1.32 billion.
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ESPN Slams Orlando Magic For Huge Draft Mistake
The Orlando Magic’s front office has spent the first half of the 2020s making good moves to reestablish the organization as a contender. From hiring Jamahl Mosley to drafting Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, there hasn’t been much to complain about in the past five years. However, it hasn’t been perfect. Recently, ESPN compiled a list of the biggest roster mistakes by every NBA team since 2020. For the Magic, it’s the choice to draft Jett Howard in 2023. “Two seasons into his career, No. 11 pick Howard is averaging 3.8 points per game and making just 29% of his 3-point attempts,” it wrote. “He has played 14 total minutes across two playoff series. Howard's selection was a fiasco for the Magic for three reasons. First, he was a reach at the time (he went 20th in ESPN's final mock draft), and the gamble hasn't paid off.” “Second, his stalled development is a particular problem because Orlando thought he could help correct its longtime struggles,” it added. “He hasn't. And third, players picked soon after Howard include Dereck Lively II (12th), Gradey Dick (13th), Jordan Hawkins (14th) and Brandin Podziemski (19th), all of whom have contributed much more than Howard in the NBA.” Orlando’s place in the list is No. 20, which falls in the category of draft disasters. It’s not the worst place to be in the rankings, but it’s a cautionary tale about reaching for the wrong guy. Howard may still develop into a solid role player, but he isn’t looking like a former No. 11 pick. More Orlando Magic Stories Former Magic Player Passes Steph Curry in GOAT Debate Orlando Magic Hall Of Famer Lands On Elite List Ex-Orlando Magic Player Ahead Of Kevin Durant On Prestigious Top 25 List
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
Tyrann Mathieu retirement highlights compelling Hall of Fame case
One question remains after New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement. How long until Canton calls? On Tuesday, the 12-year NFL veteran revealed he was retiring, effective immediately, ending the New Orleans native's legendary football career. In a statement published to social media, the three-time first-team All-Pro wrote, "As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way. "From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing." He's a surefire first-ballot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame honoree, breaking out while at LSU (2010-11). During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he forced 11 fumbles with eight recoveries, four interceptions and four total touchdowns while finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2011. Mathieu was dismissed from the team in 2012 after failing multiple drug tests and then was arrested on marijuana charges, but he didn't allow that to define his career. Instead, he carved out what could be considered a Pro Football Hall of Fame resume, too. Mathieu ends his professional career with 838 tackles, 100 passes defended and 36 interceptions. In addition to being named first-team All-Pro three times, he received three Pro Bowl honors and was a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010 Team. Mathieu also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. Per Mathieu's Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor score (65.2), he has a below-average case for enshrinement, with the average Hall of Fame defensive back scoring a 96.93. But players have received a gold jacket with worse scores in the PFR metric, including John Lynch, Eric Allen and Dick LeBeau. While he might have to wait past his first ballot to make it into the Hall of Fame, it would be a shame if Mathieu didn't one day receive his flowers. It certainly helps his case that in addition to being one of the greatest safeties of his generation, Mathieu was, by all accounts, just as outstanding off the field. NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill and Arizona Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, who covered Mathieu when he played for the Cardinals, were among the media members to share fond stories about Mathieu. "One of those guys who really respected the job we do and would take the time to explain the game," Underhill shared. "He an all-world talent and the most accessible, genuine, introspective superstar I've ever met," Odegard wrote. It could take longer than five years, but it should surprise no one if one day Mathieu receives Hall of Fame recognition. He is the Honey Badger, after all. He takes what he wants.
Ryan Reaves' Clear Opinion of Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
Before Ryan Reaves was traded to the San Jose Sharks earlier this summer, he had a front-row seat to Auston Matthews' first season wearing the “C” for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews dealt with injury setbacks throughout the year, missing 15 games after hurting himself during training camp. He still found a way to finish the season, racking up 78 points in 67 regular-season games, adding 11 points in 13 playoff outings. Reaves appeared on the "Leafs Morning Take" podcast on Monday to discuss that and many other topics. Reaves opened up on his two seasons in Toronto. The enforcer offered insight into what made the 2024–25 campaign unique and how Matthews handled the spotlight during his first year as the team captain. “I think a lot of (Matthews') leadership is led by example,” Reaves said. “He works incredibly hard in practice. And on the ice, I think you see how hard he works in all three zones. “Obviously, grinding through some issues this year, and, you know, really trying to grind through it for the team.” Reaves said that even though Matthews was forced to miss time throughout the season, the captain maintained a presence Reaves — a 38-year-old veteran — found instructive, especially for younger players in the locker room. “To me, Auston was a guy who really led by example, really tried to drag guys into battles, practice,” Reaves said. “Never took days off, never, never coasted in practice. Always working his (expletive) off, on the ice before everybody else, off the ice last, you know. “(It’s) something that, as a vet, it was great to see. It really teaches those young guys how to, how to be, you know, the best in the world.” Reaves, however, acknowledged that Matthews wasn’t the most vocal captain he’d ever played with. That said, the veteran still respected Matthews' approach to leading the Maple Leafs. “Everybody leads differently, right?” Reaves said. “You can’t be the most vocal and the most leading by example, you can’t, you can’t do it all.”
Is Giants' Joe Schoen already having second thoughts about Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders decision?
Former GM Names Yankees Prospects Likely to Be Dealt by Deadline
The Yankees aren’t hiding what they need at the deadline, especially after the weekend series in Atlanta. They need pitching, and more pitching. They need a frontline starter if they can get one. A back-end arm and high-leverage reliever if they can’t. According to former MLB GM Jim Bowden of The Athletic, that help is expected to come via trade and will cost prospects. But which ones? For now, Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. look like keepers, Bowden reports. The Yankees have been careful not to dangle either in serious talks. That leaves a deep and evolving tier just beneath them of talented, but more expendable prospects in the right deal. Right-hander Chase Hampton is out this year after Tommy John surgery but still has value in the industry. Cam Schlittler or Brendan Beck could be part of a multi-arm package. Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez Cruz offer upside in A-ball, but they’re likely a year or two away. It’s also possible the Yankees dangle recent draftee Griffin Herring, a high-floor lefty from LSU, or infielder Roc Riggio, who’s quickly becoming a fan favorite but is blocked long-term. If they’re shopping for bullpen help, a one-for-one swap involving someone like Rafael Flores, a promising catcher at Double-A, could get it done. One name to watch is Everson Pereira. Once seen as a potential long-term outfielder in the Bronx, Pereira’s injuries and inconsistent bat have pushed him to the edge of the 40-man roster. He still has tools and could be the centerpiece in a deal for a reliever or platoon bat. The Yankees have built up enough prospect depth to move from it. And with the market light on sellers, creativity and control years could matter more than pure prospect rankings. If a trade comes, it’s likely someone from this group gets the call, but not to the Bronx. it.
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