Rogers Communications on Friday morning announced that Rogers Media President KEITH PELLEY will leave the company to become Commissioner & CEO of the European PGA Tour, effective this summer. Pelley will remain in his current role until then. A search for his successor will begin now and details on his exact departure date will be announced later (Rogers). The CP noted Pelley "has been one of the key players in Rogers’ hockey coverage, which has expanded dramatically this season since the company secured" a 12-year, $5.2B media-rights deal. He "also launched the shomi streaming service, the Next Issue Canada magazine app and Sportsnet magazine" (CP, 4/17). THE GUARDIAN's Ewan Murray notes outgoing European Tour CEO GEORGE O'GRADY last November announced he would "step aside to take up a newly-created role as president of international relations." Pelley will be at the "forefront of what appears to be a new era for the European Tour, which will include more focus on fresh commercial territory and, it is hoped, an innovative approach to certain tournaments" (THEGUARDIAN.com, 4/17). Sportsnet's Damien Cox wrote on his Twitter feed, "What a loss for us. Charismatic leader who changed CAN sports TV landscape." But the Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons tweeted, "I wonder how much 1st year NHL blips have led to Keith Pelley leaving Rogers. 1 thing about Pelley. He's always known when it's time to go" (TWITTER.com, 4/17).
