{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"158705","rtpr_id":"nGNX6q1zj6-20261001","ticker":"RCI","exchange":"NYSE","all_tickers":["RCI","RCIB"],"title":"Rogers Completes Acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment ","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-10-01T18:20:00.113Z","article_body":"Will invest to build championship-calibre teams\nWill invest to deliver world-class experiences to fans and customers\nBecomes global communications, sports and entertainment leader\n\nTORONTO, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications Inc.\nannounced today that it has completed the acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports &\nEntertainment (MLSE), increasing its ownership of MLSE to 100%. Rogers\nacquired the remaining 25% ownership stake in MLSE from Kilmer Sports Inc. for\nC$4.35 billion.\n\n“We’re proud to bring these beloved teams together with the rest of Rogers\nto deliver more for fans, audiences, and customers,” said Tony Staffieri,\nPresident and CEO, Rogers. “We know how much these teams mean to fans and we\nare fully committed to investing to build championship-calibre teams, to\nenhancing the fan experience, and to delivering compelling experiences for our\ncustomers,” added Staffieri.\n\nMLSE includes the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC\n(MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), the development teams affiliated with\nToronto's NHL and NBA franchises, Scotiabank Arena, and its partnership with\nLive Nation. Rogers current sports and entertainment portfolio includes\nthe Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers Centre, Sportsnet, along with over 30\ntelevision networks and over 40 radio stations.\n\n“MLSE has some of the most iconic sports teams, they are part of the fabric\nof our communities and our country,” said Edward Rogers, Executive Chair,\nRogers. “Sports fans invest more than their money into their teams, they\ninvest their time, passion and dreams. Their investment is personal and so is\nour responsibility.”\n\nRogers will create a new business unit, Rogers Sports, that brings Rogers\nsports, media and entertainment businesses together including MLSE and the\nToronto Blue Jays.  Now that we have completed the acquisition, Rogers will\nnow build the best operating model for Rogers Sports.\n\nDuring the interim, it remains business as usual. Keith Pelley will remain\nPresident and CEO of MLSE and Mark Shapiro will remain President and CEO of\nthe Toronto Blue Jays. Pelley will take on additional accountability for\nRogers Media effective immediately.\n\n“Individually, these are extraordinary teams, brands and businesses. With\ncommunications, sports and entertainment together, it makes Rogers a truly\nworld-class company that cannot be replicated,” added Staffieri.\n\nAbout Rogers Communications Inc.\nRogers is Canada’s communications, sports and entertainment company and its\nshares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and\nRCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more information,\nplease visit rogers.com\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=6Qz7OJsiwP6XbKU22Ou5RG0z8qkOkneCdNXCIteHGGVvsm8qF8-6bE8uprPaRaV_p_KcCZm-fm9XADxwyDANxA==)\nor about.rogers.com/investor-relations\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=5_ei2dZyq9KKUB5AwlLO2WQnZJptaoWWScxyEeGOkwvmvN66QDiALpTd9EY4dd9YbtrLm2LXou6T7QDl_aKGzi_GM-XjE3b1FTNZ1tOK33xCcOTHcwAMzkj-fpk-1J7_Nf0vsePIRBZjZ02SEcVzaw==).\n\nFor further information:\n\nMedia Relations\nmedia@rci.rogers.com\n1-844-226-1338\n\nInvestor Relations\ninvestor.relations@rci.rogers.com\n1-844-801-4792\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34058489-2174-4656-ba18-19568244314c)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX6q1zj6-20261001","title":"Rogers Completes Acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment ","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"RCI","created":"2026-10-01T18:20:00.113Z","tickers":["RCI","RCIB"],"exchange":"NYSE","article_body":"Will invest to build championship-calibre teams\nWill invest to deliver world-class experiences to fans and customers\nBecomes global communications, sports and entertainment leader\n\nTORONTO, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications Inc.\nannounced today that it has completed the acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports &\nEntertainment (MLSE), increasing its ownership of MLSE to 100%. Rogers\nacquired the remaining 25% ownership stake in MLSE from Kilmer Sports Inc. for\nC$4.35 billion.\n\n“We’re proud to bring these beloved teams together with the rest of Rogers\nto deliver more for fans, audiences, and customers,” said Tony Staffieri,\nPresident and CEO, Rogers. “We know how much these teams mean to fans and we\nare fully committed to investing to build championship-calibre teams, to\nenhancing the fan experience, and to delivering compelling experiences for our\ncustomers,” added Staffieri.\n\nMLSE includes the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC\n(MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), the development teams affiliated with\nToronto's NHL and NBA franchises, Scotiabank Arena, and its partnership with\nLive Nation. Rogers current sports and entertainment portfolio includes\nthe Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers Centre, Sportsnet, along with over 30\ntelevision networks and over 40 radio stations.\n\n“MLSE has some of the most iconic sports teams, they are part of the fabric\nof our communities and our country,” said Edward Rogers, Executive Chair,\nRogers. “Sports fans invest more than their money into their teams, they\ninvest their time, passion and dreams. Their investment is personal and so is\nour responsibility.”\n\nRogers will create a new business unit, Rogers Sports, that brings Rogers\nsports, media and entertainment businesses together including MLSE and the\nToronto Blue Jays.  Now that we have completed the acquisition, Rogers will\nnow build the best operating model for Rogers Sports.\n\nDuring the interim, it remains business as usual. Keith Pelley will remain\nPresident and CEO of MLSE and Mark Shapiro will remain President and CEO of\nthe Toronto Blue Jays. Pelley will take on additional accountability for\nRogers Media effective immediately.\n\n“Individually, these are extraordinary teams, brands and businesses. With\ncommunications, sports and entertainment together, it makes Rogers a truly\nworld-class company that cannot be replicated,” added Staffieri.\n\nAbout Rogers Communications Inc.\nRogers is Canada’s communications, sports and entertainment company and its\nshares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and\nRCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more information,\nplease visit rogers.com\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=6Qz7OJsiwP6XbKU22Ou5RG0z8qkOkneCdNXCIteHGGVvsm8qF8-6bE8uprPaRaV_p_KcCZm-fm9XADxwyDANxA==)\nor about.rogers.com/investor-relations\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=5_ei2dZyq9KKUB5AwlLO2WQnZJptaoWWScxyEeGOkwvmvN66QDiALpTd9EY4dd9YbtrLm2LXou6T7QDl_aKGzi_GM-XjE3b1FTNZ1tOK33xCcOTHcwAMzkj-fpk-1J7_Nf0vsePIRBZjZ02SEcVzaw==).\n\nFor further information:\n\nMedia Relations\nmedia@rci.rogers.com\n1-844-226-1338\n\nInvestor Relations\ninvestor.relations@rci.rogers.com\n1-844-801-4792\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34058489-2174-4656-ba18-19568244314c)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-01T18:20:00.153938243Z","server_sent_at_ms":1790878800153},"received_at":"2026-10-01T18:20:00.205Z","source_url":null},"analysis":{"id":"147329","press_release_id":"158705","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Telecommunication Services","sector":"Communication Services"},"redFlags":["C$4.35 billion cash outlay increases Rogers' leverage and reduces financial flexibility"],"eventType":"m_and_a","narrative":"Rogers Communications has completed its acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, buying the remaining 25% stake from Kilmer Sports Inc. for C$4.35 billion to reach 100% ownership.\n\nMLSE brings the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, Argonauts, Scotiabank Arena and a Live Nation partnership into Rogers' portfolio alongside the Blue Jays, Rogers Centre and Sportsnet.\n\nA new business unit, Rogers Sports, will unify the sports, media and entertainment businesses; Keith Pelley stays as MLSE CEO and takes added accountability for Rogers Media.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":true,"suggestedAngle":"Rogers closes C$4.35B MLSE buyout, creating a fully-owned sports-and-media giant — watch leverage and monetization of Rogers Sports unit."},"keyFigures":{"dealValueUsd":"C$4.35 billion","customDimensions":{"post_deal_ownership":"100%","ownership_stake_acquired":"25%"}},"quotedText":"We're proud to bring these beloved teams together with the rest of Rogers to deliver more for fans, audiences, and customers","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Tony Staffieri","role":"President and CEO, Rogers"},{"name":"Edward Rogers","role":"Executive Chair, Rogers"},{"name":"Keith Pelley","role":"President and CEO of MLSE (also assumes accountability for Rogers Media)"},{"name":"Mark Shapiro","role":"President and CEO, Toronto Blue Jays"}],"products":["Toronto Maple Leafs","Toronto Raptors","Toronto FC","Toronto Argonauts","Scotiabank Arena","Toronto Blue Jays","Rogers Centre","Sportsnet","Rogers Sports"],"companies":[{"name":"Rogers Communications Inc.","ticker":"RCI","relationship":"acquirer (filer)"},{"name":"Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment","relationship":"target/subsidiary"},{"name":"Kilmer Sports Inc.","relationship":"seller"},{"name":"Live Nation","relationship":"MLSE partner"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"C$4.35 billion","context":"price paid for the remaining 25% stake in MLSE"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":4,"reasoning":"Closing of a C$4.35 billion acquisition taking MLSE ownership to 100% — a major strategic move consolidating sports, media and entertainment assets. Deal completion was previously announced, so execution risk is largely behind, but it materially reshapes the asset base and likely leverage."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"RCI"},"globalImportance":40,"audienceRelevance":35,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"large-cap foreign issuer (TSX/NYSE dual listed)","eventGravity":"completed $3B+ acquisition","sectorWeight":"telecom consolidation with premium sports assets","dealAlreadyAnnounced":"closing of previously announced transaction reduces surprise"}},"event_type":"m_and_a","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":4,"narrative":"Rogers Communications has completed its acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, buying the remaining 25% stake from Kilmer Sports Inc. for C$4.35 billion to reach 100% ownership.\n\nMLSE brings the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, Argonauts, Scotiabank Arena and a Live Nation partnership into Rogers' portfolio alongside the Blue Jays, Rogers Centre and Sportsnet.\n\nA new business unit, Rogers Sports, will unify the sports, media and entertainment businesses; Keith Pelley stays as MLSE CEO and takes added accountability for Rogers Media.","key_figures":{"dealValueUsd":"C$4.35 billion","customDimensions":{"post_deal_ownership":"100%","ownership_stake_acquired":"25%"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Tony Staffieri","role":"President and CEO, Rogers"},{"name":"Edward Rogers","role":"Executive Chair, Rogers"},{"name":"Keith Pelley","role":"President and CEO of MLSE (also assumes accountability for Rogers Media)"},{"name":"Mark Shapiro","role":"President and CEO, Toronto Blue Jays"}],"products":["Toronto Maple Leafs","Toronto Raptors","Toronto FC","Toronto Argonauts","Scotiabank Arena","Toronto Blue Jays","Rogers Centre","Sportsnet","Rogers Sports"],"companies":[{"name":"Rogers Communications Inc.","ticker":"RCI","relationship":"acquirer (filer)"},{"name":"Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment","relationship":"target/subsidiary"},{"name":"Kilmer Sports Inc.","relationship":"seller"},{"name":"Live Nation","relationship":"MLSE partner"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"C$4.35 billion","context":"price paid for the remaining 25% stake in MLSE"}]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-01T18:20:07.648Z","global_importance":40,"audience_relevance":35,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"large-cap foreign issuer (TSX/NYSE dual listed)","eventGravity":"completed $3B+ acquisition","sectorWeight":"telecom consolidation with premium sports assets","dealAlreadyAnnounced":"closing of previously announced transaction reduces surprise"}},"durationMs":7433,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}