Normally, very little is heard from Rogers executive chairman Edward Rogers, one of the most powerful sports owners in North America.
But on a day his company put in a $4.7-billion offer to take over Bell’s shares in MLSE and have a 75% controlling interest in the company that includes most of Toronto’s key professional sports operations, not even Rogers could avoid the cameras.
Yes they were his own cameras and the interview was conducted by an employee of his in Ron MacLean, with Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri there for backup, but it was an appearance, nonetheless.
Given that tightly controlled atmosphere, there weren’t a ton of revelations in the interview, but we did learn a few things.
According to Staffieri, it was Bell that came to Rogers with an offer to buy them out, which coincides with Bell’s desire to move away from the communications business to focus more on the tech side of things.
Rogers was asked why he would make this deal at all.
“We’ve spent over $14.5-billion in the last decade in sports, so it’s a core business for us, and this opportunity came about and it was something we felt fit tremendously well with what we are doing and where we are going,” he said.
But most important to a fan base that holds its pro teams in such high regard, Torontonians were publicly assured by both men that Rogers was in it to win it and would do everything in its power to bring championships to the city and the country of Canada.
“Being involved with these teams is a public trust and we view that as a responsibility that we take very seriously,” Rogers said.
“We realize it’s about winning.” Staffieri added. “What fans want and what we want are winning teams and championships. We really are passionate about bringing championships to Canada and in the case of MLSE bringing championships to Toronto. We take our role as owners seriously and we know we have a responsibility to step up and make the investments at the right time. The fans can count on us as owners to continue to increase the investments and make sure the teams have what they need to win.”
The deal likely won’t be finalized until midway through next year. Between now and then the various leagues will have to sign off on the new ownership structure, while government agencies such as the CRTC and the Competition Bureau will also have to approve it, according to Staffieri.