• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Is Rogers the Most Powerful Sports Ownership Group on Earth?

  • The Blue Jays owner makes a big move to corner most of the Toronto pro sports market.
  • Other multi-team owners can’t claim as singular a presence as Rogers.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Rogers Communications is making a serious claim as the most powerful team ownership entity in all of sports.

The Toronto-based media and telecommunications giant, already the owner of MLB’s Blue Jays, has reached an agreement to up its stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment from 37.5% to a controlling stake of 75%. The $3.46 billion agreement involves Rogers buying a 37.5% stake owned by Bell, another Canadian telecom power, and it values the entire MLSE portfolio at about $9.2 billion. 

More than a simple equity transaction, though, the deal sees Rogers tighten its grip across Canadian pro sports. Once the deal closes, expected to be in mid-2025, the company will have the following assets under its control:

  • MLB’s Blue Jays
  • NHL’s Maple Leafs
  • NBA’s Raptors
  • Toronto FC of MLS
  • Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League
  • SportsNet, a major Canadian sports network
  • Toronto’s Rogers Centre and Scotiabank Arena
  • Naming rights to sports venues in Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver
  • National NHL media rights in Canada
  • Local media rights to the NHL’s Canucks, Flames, and Oilers
  • Partial local media rights to the Maple Leafs and Raptors
  • Several minor-league franchises and esports teams

“MLSE continues to appreciate significantly, and together with our sports and media assets, we plan to surface more value for our shareholders long-term,” said Tony Staffieri, Rogers president and CEO. “This agreement also ensures long-term Canadian ownership and investment of these iconic teams.”

Larry Tanenbaum, MLSE chair and recently reelected as the chair of the NBA Board of Governors, remains a minority owner of the company, and he also owns the WNBA expansion franchise in Toronto. As part of the deal, Bell will also retain partial access “at fair market value” to Maple Leafs and Raptors games for its sports broadcaster TSN. 

Other Groups

There are several other notable multi-team owners across the industry, including Stan Kroenke, owner of the NFL’s Rams, NBA’s Nuggets, NHL’s Avalanche, and the Rapids of MLS, among other assets. Fenway Sports Group has MLB’s Red Sox, the NHL’s Penguins, and Liverpool FC of the Premier League in its portfolio. City Football Group Ltd. is a major operator in soccer around the world, led by its flagship team, Manchester City, four-time defending champions of the Premier League.

But none of those entities have as singular a presence as Rogers now holds in Canada.

“Live sports and entertainment are a critical part of our core business strategy,” Staffieri said. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jon Ledecky

Islanders Owner Warns WNBA Against Labor Strife: ‘No Bueno’

Jon Ledecky drew a stark contrast between the two leagues.
Dave Checketts

Ex-Knicks President: When David Stern Accused Me of Skirting Cap

The Knicks walked away clean when accused of cap circumvention in the 1990s.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.

NHL Expansion Fee Soars to $2B As League’s Value Surges

The buy-in price for the league will more than triple.

Featured Today

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Louisville’s Miller Moss and several of his teammates stopped by Olympus Gaming Lounge to play EA Sports College Football 26 with fans for a meet and greet. July 11, 2025

Saudis, Silver Lake, Jared Kushner Take EA Private in $55B Deal

Electronic Arts makes “Madden,” “EA Sports College Football,” and more.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.