Maple Leafs Parent Company MLSE to Install New President and CEO

MLSE — The parent company of the Toronto Maple Leafs — had chief financial officer Cynthia Devine installed into the position over the last two years on an interim basis, taking on the additional duties after Michael Friisdahl stepped down from the position in January of 2022. 

It's not clear what Devine's role will be following the announcement.

Pelley has worked for Bell Media and Rogers Communications, both of which hold a 37.5 percent stake in MLSE. Pelley served as President of Rogers Media and helped the company land a historic 12-year, $5.2 billion (CDN) deal to land the Canadian NHL national broadcasting rights. 

Before that, he led the Bell-Rogers Media Consortium that held broadcasting rights for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games and also served as President of the Toronto Argonauts

The 60-year-old Pelley most recently served as the CEO of the PGA European Tour.

It's not clear what impact this position would have on Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan, who is under contract until 2025. Under Friisdahl and Devine, it's been reported that Shanahan directly reported to the MLSE board. It's not clear if any of that will change under Pelley.