Page 1 of 3
Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:23 pm
by WuTang_OG
https://www.tsn.ca/mlse-maple-leafs-sports-entertainment-michael-friisdahl-to-step-down-1.1747248Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment are set for a change at the top of the organization.
The parent company of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC announced on Tuesday that president and CEO Michael Friisdahl will step down at the end of next month to join Signature Aviation as its chairman.
Friisdahl joined MLSE in 2015.
“Michael’s leadership over the past six years has been incredibly important as the organization navigated through the highs of our successes and the challenges of managing the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic these past two years,” MLSE chairman Larry Tannenbaum said in a statement. “Through it all, Michael raised the bar in every area of MLSE’s operation, and most importantly, made sure that the organization prioritized our leadership role in the community including finding impactful ways to help our city and its citizens recover from the pandemic. On behalf of the board, and the entire company, I thank Michael for his many contributions to MLSE and wish him the best in this next chapter of his career.”
His new venture marks a return to a familiar sector for Friisdahl. Prior to joining MLSE, Friisdahl served as president and CEO for the Air Canada Leisure Group and CEO of Thomas Cook North America.
“Leading this organization for the past six years has been a highlight of my career and I am so proud of the organization’s accomplishments and the commitment shown by MLSE employees every day, but especially during the challenges of the past two years,” Friisdahl said in a statement. “I am incredibly grateful to the entire ownership group, including Larry, [Bell president] Mirko [Bibic] and [Rogers chairman] Edward [Rogers], for their support just as I am to every member of the organization. I wish MLSE, its owners, its employees, teams and fans every success in the years to come.”
The organization says the search for Friisdahl's replacement will begin immediately.
Masai would be good replacement
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:25 pm
by lobosloboslobos
Don't think Ed Rogers is looking to give Masai more power. Seems more like a bad sign...
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:27 pm
by prelude00
lobosloboslobos wrote:Don't think Ed Rogers is looking to give Masai more power. Seems more like a bad sign...
Maybe Masai signed on knowing this would transpire and that he'd be a heavy favourite as a replacement.
A move like this doesn't happen abruptly (unless it does I didn't read the article in its entirety). But from the stuff that came about Ed Rogers, you could be right as well
Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:30 pm
by douggood
why in the world would masai want this job, there is a reason many on this board never knew this persons name who is stepping down. .
does masai really want to sit in his office decide over when to replace scoreboard, deal with hiring food vendor companies, ticket promotions etc etc.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:31 pm
by OakleyDokely
Ed Rogers only has holds 37.5%. If Bell and Larry want Masai, it would be Masai. Doubt Masai is a real option though, that would be a completely different direction for him.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:38 pm
by WuTang_OG
OakleyDokely wrote:Ed Rogers only has holds 37.5%. If Bell and Larry want Masai, it would be Masai. Doubt Masai is a real option though, that would be a completely different direction for him.
lets be real, he would be amazing at it. if he wants to run soccer and basketball, this would be his ideal gig , so much power
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:38 pm
by douggood
OakleyDokely wrote:Ed Rogers only has holds 37.5%. If Bell and Larry want Masai, it would be Masai. Doubt Masai is a real option though, that would be a completely different direction for him.
mlse board is 8 seats,
3 bell/3 rogers/2 larry
3 rogers seats (1 is ed, 1 is his sisters they dont get along and 3rd is tony (ceo of rogers who ed put in place))
ed rogers only really has say on 2/8 seats.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:41 pm
by WuTang_OG
douggood wrote:OakleyDokely wrote:Ed Rogers only has holds 37.5%. If Bell and Larry want Masai, it would be Masai. Doubt Masai is a real option though, that would be a completely different direction for him.
mlse board is 8 seats,
3 bell/3 rogers/2 larry
3 rogers seats (1 is ed, 1 is his sisters they dont get along and 3rd is tony (ceo of rogers who ed put in place))
ed rogers only really has say on 2/8 seats.
yea it seems like this wasn't result of power struggel and friisdahl had another airline gig lined up
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:42 pm
by OakleyDokely
douggood wrote:OakleyDokely wrote:Ed Rogers only has holds 37.5%. If Bell and Larry want Masai, it would be Masai. Doubt Masai is a real option though, that would be a completely different direction for him.
mlse board is 8 seats,
3 bell/3 rogers/2 larry
3 rogers seats (1 is ed, 1 is his sisters they dont get along and 3rd is tony (ceo of rogers who ed put in place))
ed rogers only really has say on 2/8 seats.
Yup, he doesn't have that much power within MLSE. The Jays are a different story.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:57 pm
by VanWest82
OakleyDokely wrote:douggood wrote:OakleyDokely wrote:Ed Rogers only has holds 37.5%. If Bell and Larry want Masai, it would be Masai. Doubt Masai is a real option though, that would be a completely different direction for him.
mlse board is 8 seats,
3 bell/3 rogers/2 larry
3 rogers seats (1 is ed, 1 is his sisters they dont get along and 3rd is tony (ceo of rogers who ed put in place))
ed rogers only really has say on 2/8 seats.
Yup, he doesn't have that much power within MLSE.
The Jays are a different story.
For now
https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/toronto-blue-jays-rogers-considering-selling-partial-stake
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:02 pm
by alienchild
OakleyDokely wrote:Ed Rogers only has holds 37.5%. If Bell and Larry want Masai, it would be Masai. Doubt Masai is a real option though, that would be a completely different direction for him.
Masai would not want the job.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:07 pm
by Reeko
No surprise that another aviation company wanted him, apparently this guy took Air Canada to a completely different level as an airline.
My question is, are we losing a big time basketball supporter like when we lost Cope? Whoever the replacement is, I hope they're a big basketball fan.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:09 pm
by WuTang_OG
Reeko wrote:No surprise that another aviation company wanted him, apparently this guy took Air Canada to a completely different level as an airline.
My question is, are we losing a big time basketball supporter like when we lost Cope? Whoever the replacement is, I hope they're a big basketball fan.
It's a good point. As well they need to stay in their lane. We can't have a guy/woman sticking their beak in. Friisdahl never did it seemed like which is important.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:11 pm
by gp2015
douggood wrote:why in the world would masai want this job, there is a reason many on this board never knew this persons name who is stepping down. .
does masai really want to sit in his office decide over when to replace scoreboard, deal with hiring food vendor companies, ticket promotions etc etc.
I don't think the CEO concerns himself with that kind of stuff, rather they would hire someone else to oversee those things.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:11 pm
by AbC?
There was worry when he took over from Leiweke but he has basically been as hands off with the sports franchises as possible. Totally out of the spotlight. Hopefully the new hire is the same way.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:18 pm
by ForeverTFC
I'm pretty sure the CEO role has little to do with the sports side of things. It's the Presidents - Masai, Shanahan, Manning - that run the franchises. MLSE learned what happens when the Richard Peddie's of the world start meddling.
Even if the CEO had oversight on the teams, why would he want to run any other franchise outside perhaps TFC?
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:22 pm
by anotherhomer
Reeko wrote:No surprise that another aviation company wanted him, apparently this guy took Air Canada to a completely different level as an airline.
My question is, are we losing a big time basketball supporter like when we lost Cope? Whoever the replacement is, I hope they're a big basketball fan.
i honestly think you a bit too worried.
Whether the new Bell CEO is a basketball fan or not, they still have a vested interest in seeing Basketball succeed since Rogers still owe exclusive broadcasting rights for Leafs and NHL.
Plus, Bell CEO is on Masai's side.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:33 pm
by will
lobosloboslobos wrote:Don't think Ed Rogers is looking to give Masai more power. Seems more like a bad sign...
The Eddie takeover is real.
Yeah, he ain't giving nothing up to no one, let alone more power to Masai. Should be very interesting.
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:35 pm
by WuTang_OG
will wrote:lobosloboslobos wrote:Don't think Ed Rogers is looking to give Masai more power. Seems more like a bad sign...
The Eddie takeover is real.
Yeah, he ain't giving nothing up to no one, let alone more power to Masai. Should be very interesting.
friisdahl wasnt pushed out, he has another aviation company who wanted him
and he only he only has 2 votes (his and his goofball buddy) on the board
Re: Report: MLSE CEO Steps Down
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:56 pm
by Badonkadonk
will wrote:lobosloboslobos wrote:Don't think Ed Rogers is looking to give Masai more power. Seems more like a bad sign...
The Eddie takeover is real.
Yeah, he ain't giving nothing up to no one, let alone more power to Masai. Should be very interesting.
As stated by others, Ed's power here is limited.
Larry T. has the swing vote. CEO for MLSE answers to Larry really, given the dynamics.