MLSE's efforts to find a replacement for outgoing President & CEO Tim Leiweke "have stalled in recent weeks, with some board members musing that the company should try to convince Leiweke to stay on board," according to Rick Westhead of TSN.ca. The BOD "has spent months interviewing possible replacements for Leiweke and has been collectively surprised that some qualified candidates haven't been interested in even interviewing for the job." The perception that MLSE's parent companies -- Bell Media and Rogers Communications -- "are often at odds has made some sports executives contacted by MLSE wary." Leiweke in August said that he "plans to leave MLSE" by June. He has since confirmed that he has talked with Live Nation Chair Irving Azoff "about starting a joint venture that could include assets" that belong to MSG. Toronto-based Corus Entertainment CEO John Cassaday "is widely considered a front-runner" for the top spot at MLSE, but the 60-year-old Cassaday "has his detractors." A source said that some MLSE BOD members "would prefer a younger CEO." Another source said that the BOD "has realized in recent months the talent it is poised to lose when Leiweke leaves." Westhead noted Leiweke "has spent recent weeks addressing issues" with Toronto FC, as F Jermain Defoe "won't return to the team next season and Leiweke has been trying to get MLSE the best return for him, and plotting a plan to replace him" (TSN.ca, 1/8).
GAME OF CHANCE: The MLSE Foundation said that jackpots for the 50/50 raffles at Maple Leafs and Raptors games in the '14-15 season "are up" 40% and 55% respectively, over the previous year. In Toronto, Manisha Krishnan reports the boost "is thanks in part to an electronic ticketing system introduced as a pilot project this year." Prior to this season, 50/50 lottery sales held at Air Canada Centre "operated on paper tickets that were audited, placed in the drum and drawn." Now, electronic kiosks and handheld devices used by vendors "process the sales, allowing for an extra period of selling along with live updates of the jackpot total." MLSE Foundation Exec Dir Michael Bartlett said that the result "is a much more efficient system with more incentive for fans to buy in" (TORONTO STAR, 1/9).
