A new report says Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is looking at a major shift at the top, with Keith Pelley potentially being moved out of the role that has made him the face of the company.
Steve Simmons reported that there is a real push to elevate Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro into a senior position overseeing the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and Raptors, while Pelley would be pushed into a more broadcast- and media-oriented job within MLSE.
“You hear a rumour often enough and it eventually becomes true.
So, I keep hearing that Mark Shapiro will be elevated to a senior position in charge of the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and Raptors, pushing Keith Pelley to more of a broadcast and media related role with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. And I'm hearing it from people who know things. Shapiro is the chosen one with ownership.”
Pelley has become a polarizing figure around the Maple Leafs, with plenty of attention landing on the front office in recent seasons. The source of that criticism has ranged from the discovery of AI usage during the trade deadline to the hiring of John Chayka, and Simmons’ report suggests ownership may be ready to go in a different direction.
The contrast between Pelley and Shapiro is clear. Pelley has taken a more hands-on approach, while Shapiro is described as someone who tends to lean on trusted people like GM Ross Atkins and understands how to influence decisions without becoming the center of attention.
Shapiro has also been the Blue Jays’ president and CEO since 2015, and the report says his presence would give MLSE a public face tied to a measure of success in Toronto through the Blue Jays’ run to the 2025 World Series.
The report also frames the potential change as part of a larger shift in Toronto sports, pointing to the Blue Jays’ semi-rebuild, Kawhi Leonard returning to the Raptors, Gavin McKenna as a Maple Leaf, and Josh Sargent as a star in TFC.
For Simmons, the appeal is simple: a new representative at the top of the organization could help usher in a new era and better reflect the Toronto brand.
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