• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Maple Leafs Cut Ties With President As Cup Drought Nears Six Decades

Expectations are always high in hockey-mad Toronto. Impatience, however, is also growing as the Maple Leafs’ title drought reaches a 58th year. 

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Maple Leafs, the NHL’s most valuable franchise and essentially the Yankees or Cowboys of Canadian pro sports, are once more searching for answers after another early playoff exit has led to the dismissal of team president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan. 

The team, worth an estimated $3.8 billion, said Thursday it would not renew Shanahan’s contract after 11 years at the helm. During that run, the Toronto native and former Red Wings star led the Maple Leafs to nine playoff appearances as he implemented a broad-based reorganization dubbed the “Shanaplan.”

The team, however, under his leadership, never advanced beyond the second round of the postseason. That continued this year as the Maple Leafs, after winning a “Battle of Ontario” against the Senators, fell to the defending champion Panthers in seven games in the second round. 

The continued lack of deep runs added to a Stanley Cup drought now at 58 years and counting, representing one of the longest title droughts in North American pro sports. 

“Our responsibility and driving motivation is to add a new chapter to the Maple Leafs’ championship history,” the club’s parent company, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said in announcing the departure from Shanahan. “It was determined that a new voice was required to take the team to the next level in the years ahead.”

Already operating in hockey-mad Toronto as an Original Six NHL franchise and looking to live up to the team’s 13 Stanley Cups won between 1918 and 1967, the Maple Leafs will soon have an extra level of scrutiny. Rogers Communications, one of the dominant entities in sports, is looking to complete a $3.46 billion deal in the coming weeks to assume majority control of MLSE.

Several key players, including forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares, are also set to become free agents this summer. 

“There’s been a lot of talk around here about pressure … but pressure is a privilege,” MLSE CEO Keith Pelley said Friday in a news conference. “Good simply isn’t good enough.”

Shanahan, for his part, said he understood the need for MLSE to make a move.

“While I am proud of the rebuild that we embarked on starting in 2014, ultimately, I came here to help win the Stanley Cup and we did not,” he said. “My biggest regret is that we could not finish the job.”

His position will not be filled, and instead, Pelley will lean further on current GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 20, 2011; Calgary, AB, Canada; Canadian hockey fans wave a flag and display a banner before the Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium. The Flames beat the Canadiens 4-0

Where Does Hockey Go After the Hockey Canada Verdict?

After the sexual assault trial, hockey is split over the path forward.

How Sports Leagues Are Responding to NFL Headquarters Shooting

The building housing the NFL headquarters was barricaded and closed Tuesday.

Mario Lemieux Trying to Reacquire Penguins 4 Years After Selling

The former NHL great looks to return to team ownership.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.

Featured Today

Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.

Bengals Extend Stadium Lease After $350M in Public Funds for Renovation

The Bengals will stay in the 25-year-old stadium through at least 2036.
July 31, 2025

Ferrari Extends F1 Boss Weeks After Red Bull Fire Horner

Fred Vasseur joined Ferrari in 2023.
August 1, 2025

Commanders Seal Stadium Deal As D.C. Approves $1.1B in Funding

The NFL team’s return to its prior home receives key political support.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 30, 2025

Mayor Calls Commanders RFK Stadium Deal ‘a BFD’ for D.C.’s Future

The NFL team makes a series of additional commitments.
July 30, 2025

Trey Hendrickson Ends $450K Holdout Without New Bengals Deal

The defensive end is seeking a raise on his $16 million 2025 salary.
July 29, 2025

Wrexham’s Ambition Replaces Fan Favorites With Pricey Additions

Wrexham has already added six new players.
Jun 10, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever injured guard Caitlin Clark (22) follows the action from the bench against the Atlanta Dream during the second half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
July 24, 2025

Caitlin Clark’s Injury Not Worse, but Status for Chicago, Dallas Unclear

Clark has been out since suffering a groin injury on July 15.