Courtesy: Sean Pollock/Waking The Red
Toronto FC fans made their opinions on Keith Pelley, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, crystal clear earlier this season. There could soon be a change in the hot seat.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reported in a column on Sunday that MLSE could be looking to elevate Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro to a senior position in charge of the Blue Jays, the NHL’s Maple Leafs and NBA’s Raptors. Rogers, who are finalizing a deal to take 100 percent ownership of MLSE after previously holding 75, also own the Jays and will reportedly bring the MLB franchise under the MLSE umbrella of teams when the deal goes through later this year or in early 2027.
There was no mention of TFC or the CFL’s Argonauts in Simmons’ report, but both — like the Leafs and Raptors — have been without a president since Bill Manning parted ways with MLSE when Pelley was hired in 2024. Manning has since moved to Saudi Pro League side Diriyah Club.
If MLSE is planning to switch back to a leadership model with presidents for each team, TFC general manager Jason Hernandez might be getting a new boss.
Pelley was criticized by TFC fans in May during a match against Inter Miami for suggesting that Toronto FC’s rebuild is complete after signing American star Josh Sargent. Sargent has been successful in Toronto so far, but TFC are set to miss the playoffs for the sixth year in a row as things stand.
Unhappy Toronto FC fans have unfurled a banner pointed at MLSE president Keith Pelley.
"Rebuild is complete Pelley. Do your due diligence."https://t.co/6CaPQFle5x#TFCLive 0-0 #InterMiamiCF I 25' I #TORvMIA pic.twitter.com/QQ2222l2qi
— Waking the Red (@WakingtheRed) May 9, 2026
Pelley would switch to “more of a broadcast and media related role” according to Simmons, which aligns with his career experience as a top executive at TSN, Rogers, the Argos and the PGA European Tour. Shapiro is “the chosen one with ownership” to replace him at the top, but “whether he wants a job of this magnitude is anyone’s guess,” Simmons added.
Shapiro could be shooting for a job of an even bigger magnitude.
Jonah Sigel of the Toronto Star suggested on Sunday that Shapiro doesn’t want the MLSE job, and has his eyes on the MLB Commissioner role instead. MLB boss Rob Manfred will retire at the end of his current contract in 2029, ending a term he started in 2015 in one of the top jobs in all of sports.
Shapiro has been with the Jays since that same year, earning plaudits over the past decade for renovating the Rogers Centre and the Blue Jays’ player development complex in Dunedin, Florida. He was previously a top executive for years with the Cleveland Guardians, including positions as the team’s president and general manager.
Shapiro signed a new five-year contract with the Jays in December after helping lead the team to the World Series, so he’s staying put for now.
What do you make of this suggestion? Would Toronto FC benefit from having a designated president again? Let us know in the comments.