It is "not clear" what the MLSE BOD has asked its new President & CEO to accomplish, though it "does seem evident it wanted a change of pace after a colourful run with his predecessor," according to a profile by Sean Fitz-Gerald of TORONTO STAR, who wrote under the header, "Who Is MICHAEL FRIISDAHL, Mysterious New MLSE Boss?" Friisdahl, who is following TIM LEIWEKE in the position, "will be leading a company holding an array of properties, from sports to real estate to television to restaurants and bars," but has "spent the majority of his career in the travel industry." Former MLSE President & CEO RICHARD PEDDIE said, "My advice to him? Don’t sit up in the gondola. Because you’d be sitting there, talking to whoever ... and everyone thinks you’re telling them what to do.” Peddie added of MLSE, “They really want to focus on the (sports) teams. He’s going to have a steep learning curve with both the media and the fans." Fitz-Gerald noted it is "not known why the board chose to hire Friisdahl, though there are theories." Friisdahl "did not have any direct contact with either Bell or Rogers, who are partners within MLSE." He is the "first chief executive in MLSE history without a background in managing sports teams, or sports properties." Univ. of Toronto professor RICHARD POWERS said, "He’s an operations guy. I think he’s going to solidify the current operations, streamline them to the extent possible while providing the same level of service. Squeeze as much out of it as you can. ... If I was at MLSE. I’d be concerned to see where he’s going to make his mark.” Peddie added, “He’s going to face scrutiny like he’s never seen before" (TORONTO STAR, 11/15).
