Rogers Communications to buy out Bell’s share of MLSE for $4.7 billion

TORONTO — In shopping for out Bell’s possession share of Maple Leaf Sports activities & Leisure, Rogers Communication goes all-in.

Rogers introduced Wednesday it’s buying Bell’s 37.5 per cent share of MLSE for C$4.7 billion, giving it 75 per cent possession of the sports activities conglomerate. Rogers and Bell at present maintain equal shares.

MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, by way of his holding firm Kilmer Sports activities Inc., owns the opposite 25 per cent stake. OMERS, a Canadian pension fund, bought a 5 p.c oblique stake in MLSE in the summertime of 2023 by a 20 p.c direct stake in Kilmer Sports activities for US$400 million.

“MLSE is likely one of the most prestigious sports activities and leisure organizations on the earth and we’re proud to develop our possession of those coveted sports activities groups,” Rogers president and CEO Tony Staffieri mentioned in an announcement. “As Canada’s main communications and leisure firm, stay sports activities and leisure are a vital a part of our core enterprise technique.”

Assuming regulatory and league approval of the sale, Rogers — underneath govt chair Edward Rogers III — provides the NHL Maple Leafs, NBA Raptors, CFL Argonauts, MLS Toronto FC and AHL Marlies plus Scotiabank Enviornment to a present portfolio that features Main League Baseball’s Blue Jays and its Rogers Centre house.

The proposed sale, which Bell mentioned is predicted to shut in mid-2025, places the worth of MLSE in its entirety at C$12.53 billion.

The deal ought to simplify MLSE issues, with one controlling proprietor.

“That unholy alliance of two competing telcos after which a minority shareholder (Tanenbaum) being the face of the complete group was at all times tough … A streamlined governance is the way in which to go,” mentioned Brian Cooper, a former MLS vice-president who’s chairman of the MKTG Canada sponsorship company.

Former MLSE president and CEO Tim Leiweke says the proposed sale “uncomplicates life and decision-making.” He calls it “an excellent deal for MLSE, for the companions however particularly the followers.”

Leiweke says Edward Rogers, whom he loved working for, has the sources “to do no matter they have to do to be aggressive and to develop.”

“And that offers (MLSE president Keith Pelley) and the remainder of that group large sources, with out debate. That is a superb day.”

Leiweke, who’s president of the Oak View Group, additionally sees it as optimistic for Bell.

“They made a superb deal. They needed to shield their shareholders. They made them a ton of cash and it is actually sensible on their half. As a result of they are a public firm. So that they need to be about return on funding.”

Bell mentioned it plans to make use of proceeds of the sale “in direction of lowering debt ranges and to help its ongoing transformation from telco to techco with a give attention to core progress drivers.”

“As we speak’s announcement demonstrates that we’re targeted on creating the monetary flexibility to help our ongoing transformation and core progress drivers,” Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada, mentioned in an announcement.

Pelley, in a brief assertion, mentioned MLSE “has been lucky to have one of many easiest possession teams in sports activities and leisure for a few years and it has led to MLSE turning into one of many main organizations in our business.”

“As a company, we’re grateful for his or her contributions, and we stay absolutely targeted on our priorities and additional driving a championship mentality throughout MLSE.”

Brendan Shanahan, president of the Maple Leafs, echoed that sentiment.

“We now have nice possession right here, we have now my total time since I have been in Toronto,” he informed reporters because the Leafs opened coaching camp. “We have been very blessed with the help that we get from possession. We do not count on that to alter with at this time’s information.

“We have been communicated with properly, we have been supported, and so they’re very dedicated to profitable, as we’re.”

Whether or not Rogers appears to develop its share in MLSE much more stays to be seen. Beneath their possession settlement, Rogers and Bell reportedly had the proper to purchase out Tanenbaum by July 2026.

Whereas not one for the limelight, Tanenbaum is extremely regarded and has represented the Raptors on the NBA’s board of governors and the Leafs with the NHL. However he has already begun to strike out on his personal.

Rogers and Bell reportedly didn’t see eye to eye on the deserves of a WNBA franchise, with Tanenbaum finally securing a Toronto workforce underneath the Kilmer banner.

“It is not a lot what they may do and agree on, it is what they weren’t in a position to do,” mentioned Cooper. “Whether or not it is act on a well timed foundation or all agree on a purchase order of one other workforce so as to add into their quiver. Or to make an enormous participant acquisition for a workforce in rivalry on the finish of the yr.”

There have been additionally stories that Edward Rogers was not eager on the scale of Raptors president Masai Ujiri’s contract

Whereas the Blue Jays at present occupy the American League East basement at 72-79 forward of Wednesday’s recreation in Texas, Rogers has not skimped on the workforce.

In accordance with USA As we speak, the Jays’ payroll of US$221,860 ranks seventh within the majors. Rogers reportedly additionally was keen to pay greater than US$600 million to get Shohei Ohtani, solely to see the Japanese star comply with a US$700-million, 10-year take care of the Dodgers.

Rogers, which owns Sportsnet, has additionally spent $400 million on renovations to the 35-year-old Rogers Centre.

To not point out its $5.2-billion, 12-year NHL rights deal, which is about to conclude after the 2025-26 season. In Could, Staffieri mentioned he expects Rogers “to be on the desk” on the subsequent rights negotiations though he provided no trace on whether or not it’s going to go it alone or search a associate.

Rogers additionally has current “strategic partnerships” with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

Bell, which owns TSN, isn’t giving up on sports activities content material.

Rogers says the deal offers Bell the chance to “renew its current MLSE broadcast and sponsorship rights long-term at honest market worth.” This contains “entry to content material rights” for 50 per cent of Maple Leafs regional video games and 50 p.c of Toronto Raptors video games for which MLSE controls the rights.

Bell says it has secured entry to these rights for the Leafs and Raptors on TSN for the subsequent 20 years by a long-term settlement with Rogers, topic to league approval. TSN may even proceed to broadcast Argonauts and TFC video games by impartial agreements with the respective leagues.

Bell stays official telecom sponsor of the Raptors and can proceed sponsorships of the Argonauts and Toronto FC.

Rogers mentioned the acquisition is not going to have an effect on its debt leverage “and financing will embody non-public traders.”

“MLSE continues to understand considerably, and along with our sports activities and media belongings, we plan to floor extra worth for shareholders long-term,” mentioned Staffieri. “This settlement additionally ensures long-term Canadian possession and funding of those iconic groups.”

Rogers and Bell closed their deal to amass an possession place in MLSE in August 2012 after saying the acquisition from Ontario Academics’ Pension Plan in December 2011 by way of a C$1.07-billion bid.

In buying 75 per cent fairness possession in MLSE, they fashioned a holding firm to control their mixed possession place.

On the time, Kilmer Sports activities elevated its 20.5 p.c possession stake to 25 p.c.

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With recordsdata from CP hockey author Joshua Clipperton

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This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Sept. 18, 2024

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press