MLSE hires Michael Friisdahl to replace Tim Leiweke as president, CEO
Former Air Canada exec to lead company that owns Leafs, Raptors, TFC
Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment announced Thursday that it has hired former Air Canada executive Michael Friisdahl to replace Tim Leiweke as the company's president and CEO.
MLSE counts the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, the NBA's Toronto Raptors, and Toronto FC of Major League Soccer among its properties, as well as the Air Canada Centre arena where the Leafs and Raptors play.
The company had been seeking a replacement for Leiweke since confirming in August 2014 that he would be leaving as soon as a successor was appointed.
Leiweke had been with MLSE since April 2013.
Friisdahl has served as president and CEO of Air Canada's Leisure Group since it was formed in 2012.
He'll begin his new job in December, MLSE said.
"MLSE's CEO search focused on the appointment of a seasoned Canadian business executive to lead the organization and we've found exactly what we were looking for in Michael," said MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum.