GOOOOOOL! MLSE Reaches Deal For 80.1% Stake In GolTV Canada

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) Friday agreed to buy an 80.1% stake in 24-hour soccer channel GolTV Canada from Insight Sports Ltd., according to Daniel Girard of the TORONTO STAR. Terms of the deal, which "still requires regulatory approval," were not disclosed, but previous reports "pegged it at about" C$12M. MLSE Exec VP & COO Tom Anselmi: "We're obviously bullish on soccer." Anselmi said that it is "possible some of Toronto FC's 30 games this season could be broadcast on the channel," but that "more likely ... are regular shows about the team, [MLS] and the game of soccer itself." Girard noted MLSE adds GolTV Canada to its Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV channels, as well as its ownership of the Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC and AHL Toronto Marlies (TORONTO STAR, 1/24). The FINANCIAL POST's Grant Surridge reported MLSE "cannot brand the channel along the lines of its other television properties." Anselmi said that GolTV U.S. is a minority partner in the net, so MLSE "cannot change the channel's name." MLSE also will "look at bidding for the rights to other European leagues," such as the EPL. Meanwhile, Anselmi said that MLSE has "no immediate plans to create a new sports network, but did not completely rule out the possibility in the future." Anselmi: "We kind of like the way we're set up now. Because we have a property in each of the sports -- hockey, basketball and soccer" (FINANCIAL POST, 1/24).