As buyers start to come forward for the coveted MLSE stake, Wayne Gretzky has admitted that he has been approached to be part of a group intending to purchase the Teachers' Pension Plan shares.
With the way the Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled under the ownership of the Pension Plan, this is welcome news to those waiting to see a winning team in Toronto. It has seemed as though MLSE's focus had shifted from sports team ownership to business development as it diversified into Real Estate and Entertainment businesses. Here's hoping that new ownership group comes in, cleans house and brings a hunger to win at all costs attitude - a passion that has been missing for decades. The city deserves it, and most of all the fans deserve it. Whether Gretzky be added for a management role or as a Canadian content figurehead to mask American ownership, this is good news for Toronto. Let's hope this "Gretzky to Toronto" rumour is more than an April Fool's joke, and MLSE stays out of the Rogers family.TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE
Published: November 18, 2011 5:59 a.m.
Last modified: November 17, 2011 9:59 p.m. Add Wayne Gretzky’s name to the list of people now said to be interested in buying Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The Great One has been asked “months ago,” according to a source, to be involved by groups kicking the tires on the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund’s $1.5 billion share of the conglomerate. Gretzky told Sportsnet he hadn’t decided on whether he would be involved with the unnamed U.S.-based interests. What exactly his role would be — whether figurehead, president or in the management team — is unclear, but trying to add him as “Canadian content” for a U.S. owner makes a lot of sense, said Sportsnet analyst John Shannon, a former league executive. “They are trying to make it look like there is a Canadian-content factor,” said Shannon. “It’s Wayne Gretzky. There’s nobody more passionate about the game of hockey than The Great One.” One executive within the MLSE empire thought having Gretzky on board was a “dumb” idea. “Whoever buys this needs $1.5 billion, not Wayne Gretzky,” said the executive, asking not to be named.
Rogers is also said to be interested.