Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment buys the Toronto Argonauts

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s sporting empire just got bigger.

The Toronto Argonauts have announced that the team has been sold, as MLSE has purchased the CFL team from Bell Canada and the Kilmer Group.

Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close in January pending approval by the CFL Board of Governors, were not disclosed.

The Argos join a professional sports team powerhouse at MLSE, which includes the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC, Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G-League), and TFC II (USL). MLSE also owns the Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Square, as well as Leafs Nation Network and NBA TV Canada television channels.

The only major team MLSE doesn’t own is now the Toronto Blue Jays, and they might be for sale soon too.

Winners of the 105th Grey Cup last month, there’s some momentum building for the Argos.

The 105th Grey Cup. 🏆#WriteAHappyStoryIn4Words pic.twitter.com/XEJEk5MD8d

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) December 6, 2017

“It’s been an exciting time of renewal and accomplishment for the Double Blue and I speak on behalf of all of us at the organization when I say how excited we are to now be joining forces with MLSE, Canada’s top sports company,” said Michael Copeland, Argonauts president & CEO.

Joining forces with MLSE should be good news for the Argos. The team will be able to share in economies of scale, which should help with the marketing of the team.

The Argos have been touring the city with the Grey Cup in recent weeks, making stops at Raptors and Leafs games.

Thank you, @Raptors!! 👏👏#ArgosFootball #GreyCup pic.twitter.com/ATbi4oG6vx

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) December 2, 2017

Four guys dropping one puck? Now that's teamwork. 😂

Thank you, @MapleLeafs, for welcoming us to last night's game!#ArgosFootball pic.twitter.com/Lu7DZx0FqL

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) December 7, 2017

Perhaps we now know why.

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