Report: Rogers Communications to own 75% of Maple Leafs Sports stake post $3.5 billion acquisition

Rogers Communications has bought Bell Canada's 37.5% stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment for $3.5 billion (based on current rates on exchange), according to Sportico. Rogers already owned 37.5% of Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment and will now own 75% of the team.

MLSE runs the Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA’s Toronto Raptors, MLS's Toronto FC, and CFL's Toronto Argonauts. The remaining 25% is owned by Larry Tannenbaum.

In a press release, Bell Canada Enterprises said that the deal is expected to close in mid-2025, according to CBC. BCE said it's selling its ownership stake to reduce its debt. Along with reducing its debt, the company says the sale also helps "support its ongoing transformation" from a telecommunications firm to a tech company.

BCE also secured content rights to Maple Leafs and Raptors games on TSN—Bell's sports channel—for the next 20 years with an agreement with Rogers.

Maple Leafs GM happy with offseason moves

The Toronto Maple Leafs decided to stick with their core group, despite another first-round playoff exit.

The Maple Leafs did not trade Mitch Marner despite all the rumors and instead added Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Anthony Stolarz.

Although Toronto didn't make a franchise-altering move, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was pleased with his moves.

"I know sometimes people fall in love with 'let's make a big change just to make a big change,'" Treliving told TSN's "OverDrive" (via theScore). "But at the end of the day, you can go out and make big changes, if they're not making your team better, to me it doesn't make any sense.

"Every once in a while, you try to hit a home run," Treliving added. "The reality is, whether it be our business or any other business, you just keep trying to hit some singles, right? ... Keep picking away at different things to alter the group, to, again, push it forward."

Toronto invited Max Pacioretty on a PTO and signed Jani Hakanpaa to a one-year deal. The Maple Leafs previously named Craig Berube their new coach.

Toronto will open its 2024-25 NHL season on the road on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.