Who is the Owner of Toronto Maple Leafs?

Who Owns the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), one of North America’s most valuable sports and entertainment holding companies. MLSE’s ownership is divided among three major shareholders: Rogers Communications holds approximately 37.5%, BCE (Bell Canada Enterprises) holds approximately 37.5%, and OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System), a major Canadian pension fund, holds approximately 25%. This consortium structure means the Maple Leafs are not owned by any single individual but by two of Canada’s largest telecommunications companies and one of its largest pension funds.

Rogers Communications and Bell Canada are publicly traded companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI and TSX: BCE respectively), but MLSE itself is a privately held subsidiary. This means you cannot buy shares of the Maple Leafs or MLSE directly on any stock exchange, even though the parent owners of MLSE are publicly traded. Larry Tanenbaum, a Toronto businessman who had owned a minority stake in MLSE for years, sold his remaining stake back to the other partners, consolidating the current three-party structure.

Keith Pelley became President and CEO of MLSE in 2023, taking over from Michael Friisdahl. Pelley, who previously led European Tour Group (golf) and Rogers Media, brought media and entertainment expertise to the role. He oversees the Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), the Marlies (AHL), and several other sports properties under the MLSE umbrella.

About MLSE and the Maple Leafs’ Legacy

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment was formed through a complex series of transactions involving the historic ownership of the Maple Leafs and its arena — what is now Scotiabank Arena. MLSE owns some of the most valuable sports franchises in Canada, with the Leafs and Raptors both commanding valuations in the multi-billion dollar range. The Leafs are consistently ranked among the NHL’s most valuable franchises, with Forbes valuations typically exceeding $2 billion, powered by Toronto’s passionate hockey market, premium ticket prices, and enormous media rights revenue.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were founded in 1917 as one of the original NHL franchises. The team won 13 Stanley Cup championships — the most recent being in 1967 — making the Cup drought one of the longest in hockey, a source of both pain and humor for Toronto fans. The Leafs have been in an extended rebuild in recent years under general manager Brad Treliving, surrounded by stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares but consistently falling short of deep playoff runs.

Key Ownership Highlights

• MLSE — the parent company of the Toronto Maple Leafs — is owned by Rogers Communications (37.5%), Bell Canada Enterprises/BCE (37.5%), and OMERS pension fund (25%). MLSE itself is privately held, meaning no public shares of the Leafs are available for purchase by individual investors.
• The Maple Leafs are consistently among the NHL’s most valuable franchises, with Forbes regularly valuing the team between $2–3 billion. Toronto’s status as Canada’s largest city and most passionate hockey market drives premium ticket prices and media rights revenue that rank among the league’s highest.
• Keith Pelley became President and CEO of MLSE in 2023. He oversees the Maple Leafs along with the Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), the Toronto Marlies (AHL), and other MLSE properties. His background includes leading Rogers Media and the European Tour in professional golf.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cup championships, all before 1967. The team’s 50+ year championship drought is among the most storied in professional sports, fueling intense fan passion and media scrutiny that make the Leafs one of the most talked-about teams in hockey regardless of their playoff success.
• The Leafs play at Scotiabank Arena in downtown Toronto, a world-class venue they share with the Toronto Raptors. The arena opened in 1999 as Air Canada Centre before being renamed following a sponsorship deal with Scotiabank in 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), which is jointly owned by Rogers Communications (37.5%), Bell Canada Enterprises (37.5%), and OMERS pension fund (25%). MLSE itself is not publicly traded.

Are the Toronto Maple Leafs publicly traded?

No. MLSE, the parent company of the Maple Leafs, is privately held. However, MLSE’s shareholders Rogers (TSX: RCI) and Bell (TSX: BCE) are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

When did the Maple Leafs last win the Stanley Cup?

The Toronto Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup in 1967, defeating the Montreal Canadiens. The 50+ year championship drought is one of the most legendary in professional sports, though the team has remained one of the NHL’s most valuable and followed franchises throughout.

Who is the CEO of the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Keith Pelley became President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in 2023. He oversees all MLSE properties including the Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto FC.