Rogers Acquires BCE's Stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for $4.7 Billion

The deal shifts control of Toronto's major sports teams to Rogers, while BCE retains broadcasting rights for the next 20 years.

• Rogers Communications now holds 75% ownership of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, and the Argonauts.
• BCE Inc. sold its 37.5% stake in MLSE due to financial pressures, including a $39 billion debt load and recent credit downgrades.
• Despite selling its stake, BCE secured long-term broadcasting rights for MLSE’s teams on its TSN network for the next two decades.
• The acquisition positions Rogers to potentially combine MLSE with its stake in the Toronto Blue Jays and explore further monetization options, such as selling stakes to institutional investors or an IPO.
• The deal occurs amid a turbulent time for sports broadcasting, with increasing fragmentation and competition from streaming services complicating viewership for fans.

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