Tim Leiweke appointed President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)

TORONTO, April 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), today announced that Tim Leiweke has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of MLSE, effective June 30, 2013.

"Tim Leiweke is one of the top sports executives in the world, renowned for his ability to build championship teams, premier entertainment events, and innovative brand and marketing opportunities," said Mr. Tanenbaum. "Tim is a leader who understands what fans want and what it takes to build winners. With his deep leadership experience and unparalleled success at the highest levels of professional sports, Tim's the right CEO at the right time to lead the transformation of MLSE."

Mr. Leiweke was most recently President and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the international sports and entertainment company that owns the Los Angeles Kings, reigning Stanley Cup champions of the National Hockey League; the Los Angeles Galaxy, reigning MLS Cup champions of Major League Soccer; a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association; and world-class sport and entertainment facilities such as the Staples Center, the Home Depot Center, the L.A. Live entertainment complex, and other high-profile venues across the United States and around the world.

"I'm honoured and excited to be chosen to lead MLSE, a world-class sports and entertainment organization with the major league teams, premier facilities and employee team that rank with the very best across North America and internationally," said Mr. Leiweke. "MLSE is woven into the character of Toronto. The loyal and passionate fans of MLSE's teams want sports championships for this great city. They want excitement on the ice, on the court, on the pitch and on the stage. And they want MLSE to be an active part of their community. I am committed to delivering for them when I begin my new role as CEO of MLSE."

Effective June 30, Mr. Leiweke will lead the MLSE management team, along with Tom Anselmi, Chief Operating Officer, and the company's other front office and sports team executives.

Mr. Leiweke has an outstanding track record of growth and success in a professional sports business career spanning more than 30 years. Before moving to Los Angeles to join the Kings as President in 1996 (becoming President and CEO of AEG Worldwide in 2001), he served as President and CEO of U.S. Skiing. Previously he spent four seasons as President of the NBA's Denver Nuggets, where he also played a leading role in the development of the Pepsi Center. In 1988, Mr. Leiweke was the first employee hired by the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, serving as Vice President of the team as well as handling naming rights, marketing and sales for all events at the Target Center, before moving to Denver in 1991. A native of St. Louis, he began his pro sports career in 1979 as Assistant General Manager of the St. Louis Steamers of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

"My family and I eagerly look forward to becoming part of the community in Toronto, one of the great cities of the world, and to joining the passionate and dedicated fans of the Maple Leafs, the Raptors, Toronto FC and the Marlies," said Mr. Leiweke.

Highly regarded for his commitment to the communities in which he lives, Mr. Leiweke is active in a range of charitable causes. Under his leadership, AEG generated more than $80 million in contributions to local and national charities. Mr. Leiweke was selected as Sports Executive of the Year by the Sports Business Journal, chosen twice by the Los Angeles Sports Council as top sports executive in the LA region, and named as one of the 100 most influential people in Southern California by the Los Angeles Times.

About Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
MLSE, one of the world's premier sports and entertainment companies, owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Toronto FC (MLS), Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Square and three digital channels - Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GOLTV Canada - and has a partnership with Live Nation, the biggest concert promoter in the world.

MLSE has also invested in five of Toronto's sports facilities - Ricoh Coliseum, home of the Marlies, BMO Field, home of Toronto FC, Lamport Stadium, KIA Training Grounds at Downsview Park, home of Toronto FC's Academy and the First Team's practice facility, and the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the practice facility for the Maple Leafs and Marlies. MLSE operates and manages events at Ricoh Coliseum and BMO Field.

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

Media Contacts:
Jamie Deans, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, [phone]