Rogers Communications CEO Guy Laurence during an earnings call last week "used the word 'crybaby' to describe rival Bell," according to Vanessa Lu of the TORONTO STAR. Laurence "went further, suggesting that Bell’s own bid for the coveted NHL hockey rights wasn’t innovative, theorizing that’s why it lost, and now is 'complaining and trying to stifle innovation' over the Rogers GamePlus mobile app." Rogers and Bell are partners in owning MLSE, which owns the Maple Leafs, Raptors, Marlies, Toronto FC and "various real estate and television assets." Bell "has filed a complaint with the CRTC, arguing GamePlus should be available to its customers, and not just to Rogers customers, who have access to special features such as on-ice camera angles." Bell argues Rogers' current practice "violates CRTC digital media policy." Laurence: "Obviously, we don’t believe that we have transgressed any rules and we will continue to focus on delivering innovation for consumers and not fighting little petty fights such as this." Lu wrote while telecoms rivals "have certainly sparred in the past, although usually with a polite veneer, it was unusual for an executive to use such a dismissive tone" (TORONTO STAR, 10/25).
