Edward Rogers running Maple Leafs GM interviews proves the franchise operates like a $25-billion empire
Photo credit: Justin Tang - Toronto Star
Ed Rogers is judge, jury, and executioner in the Maple Leafs' GM search and it proves that the team's primary focus isn't hockey anymore — it's money.
When Rogers Media acquired a 75% stake in MLSE it gave them control of several prominent sports franchises that expanded from the Toronto Blue Jays into a conglomerate that includes the Raptors, Argonauts, and Maple Leafs.
That turned them into the ultimate force in Toronto sports, and there's a very strong chance that they'll acquire the other 25% in due time and then have complete control.
So with them having such a high financial stake in the Maple Leafs organization, there's a lot of discussion about how this next GM and/or head of hockey operations is going to change the team for the better and turn them back into a contender.
Ed Rogers and the looming corporate shadow
Though there may be nothing anyone but one man can do — Ed Rogers III.
Arguably the most powerful man in Canadian media, Rogers is someone who is no doubt a factor in all decisions being made regardless of if he's public or not.
Think of him as the Toronto version of George Steinbrenner; the unseen force that drives decisions and makes sure that the bottom line stays as large as possible (but at least the Yankees had success).
Having him be the ultimate decision maker is a tough one because it turns things solely into a corporate choice. It's not about who is best for the team, but who makes the most money.
If he can build a competent team that competes but isn't a powerhouse, it gives him and the team a chance to sell fans on false hope and make sure those ticket prices keep rising — with fans feeling obligated to buy them because 'this is the year!'
Why Ed Rogers could be the downfall of the Toronto Maple Leafs
When you're this powerful and control the majority of sports in arguably one of the most recognized sports cities in the world, you tend to want to have your say.
Rogers allowed the Toronto Blue Jays to give Vladimir Guerrero Jr. half a billion dollars to stay in Toronto, and spent nearly $5-billion acquiring the MLSE stakes.
That's not chump change and when you have the ability to throw around that level of wealth, you're really the only one truly in charge of things.
If Rogers believes that the new person coming in can turn around the fortunes of the Maple Leafs enough to get fans back on the side of the corporation and survive off hope again; he's not going to shy away.
This is a money-first business and when you're getting hundreds of millions in ticket sales you're only going to focus on getting fans in the building.
You'd think that would involve making sure the team is as best it can be but for Rogers, he may do just enough to have his cake and eat it too.
Meanwhile the Maple Leafs are left without a crumb and keep yearning for that non-existent pie in the sky.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Two top Maple Leafs GM frontrunners are officially out leaving John Chayka quietly pulling ahead
Two top Maple Leafs GM frontrunners are officially out leaving John Chayka quietly pulling ahead
Previously on Hockey Patrol