Leiweke To Exit MLS&E

Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of MLS&E, released a statement announcing that Leiweke, who left his position as President/CEO of AEG a scant 18 months ago, will leave his latest job June 15, 2015, or until a successor is appointed.

“Mr. Leiweke plans to pursue his goal of owning and operating his own business following his departure from MLSE,” according to the statement.

The statement follows a flurry of Canadian reports that Leiweke was headed for the door, as well as flat-out denials on his part to local journalists.

“I’m committed,” Leiweke told Toronto Star columnist Bruce Arthur in an Aug. 19 interview. “I’m looking forward to the end of the season with [Toronto Football Club], and the upcoming season with the [the NBA’s Toronto] Raptors and defending our title, and getting the Leafs back in the playoffs.

“Anyone who thinks I’m not going to be here through the duration of those seasons, they’re wrong,” Leiweke was quoted by Arthur.

TFC’s season ends in October. The 2014-15 NHL regular season concludes April 11 and the NBA follows two days later. Both leagues’ playoffs and finals conclude before June 30. So, Leiweke was being truthful that the rumored exit wasn’t “imminent.”

But local reports paint the move to Toronto as having been a difficult one for Leiweke and his family, and his relationship with MLS&E’s board as having become somewhat strained, according to the Star.

Tanenbaum put his best face on the announcement, saying, “Under Tim’s leadership, MLSE has made a number of key moves to strengthen our organization on the path to championship success,” he wrote in the statement. “We look forward to working closely with Tim to build on the foundation and further accelerate our momentum as we seek a new leader for MLSE.”

The speculation also begins regarding Leiweke’s future. When MLSE joined a group with Rogers Communications and Jon Bon Jovi to bid on the Buffalo Bills, there was some conjecture over Leiweke’s potential involvement after his efforts to bring an NFL team to Los Angeles during his tenure with AEG.

And then there’s AEG. It was taken off the sale block just before Leiweke resigned his high-profile position, but it was made clear at the time that the company could still be sold if an attractive enough offer came in. At least one observer has already floated the possibility of Leiweke teaming with Guggenheim Partners to come back to the negotiating table.

But while the rumor mill starts to churn, Leiweke stays put at least for now.

“It’s an honor to lead MLSE, a world-class organization in a city and a country so passionate about sports,” Leiweke said in the announcement. “But with new opportunities on the horizon, it’s time for me to begin the transition from sports and entertainment executive to entrepreneur. “Right now, my total focus is here at MLSE and I look forward to working with the Board and MLSE team to continue strengthening our franchises while ensuring a smooth transition to a new leader.”