MLSE is off the market, planning sports network instead

Last Friday the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan board tersely stated that it’s no longer interested in selling its 80 per cent stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Now that the company won’t be bought up anytime soon—$1.5 billion offers were reported—MLSE is allegedly planning to make a major expenditure of its own: starting a regional sports channel. As the Globe and Mail noted a year ago, MLSE already has a broadcasting licence for a channel tentatively named Real Sports (like the sports bar with the giant television it already owns). It’s undoubtedly a risky venture: not only would it be costly for both the company and subscription-paying fans, but expanding digitally would also require negotiating with Bell and Rogers, which won’t be happy about the increased competition. What’s more, although MLSE would have regular content from the Maple Leafs, the Raptors and Toronto FC, it’s unclear how the channel will entertain its paying customers seven days a week, especially during the summer months. According to Metro Morning’s business commentator Michael Hlinka, that could be reason enough for the Maple Leafs to allow another hockey team in southern Ontario to intrude on their turf. Look for some intriguing developments in 2015, when the Leafs’ local broadcasting contract is up. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »