Richard Peddie

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Richard A. Peddie (born in Windsor, Ontario) is the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), which is the company that owns and operates the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Marlies, Toronto F.C., Leafs TV, Raptors NBA TV and the Air Canada Centre. MLSE also operates BMO Field, Ricoh Coliseum and General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario.

Despite being unpopular with fans, Peddie has been extraordinarily successful financially. Since taking over MLSE, he has tripled its value to over $1.5 billion, credited to "clever marketing and shrewd dealmaking".^[1] As of 2007, the Toronto Maple Leafs, valued at $413 million, are the most valuable franchise in the National Hockey League.

In July, 2006, Peddie made an announcement that Leafs' ticket prices would be lower for the 2006-2007 season, due to the Conservative government's 1% tax cut to the GST. Peddie was criticized for his statement about MLSE executives that "[they're] not the money-grubbing characters [they're] often made out to be," especially because this "price-lowering" only cemented the sentiment.^[2] The savings on each ticket ranged from $0.35 to $1.73. The lower prices were short lived, as they rose by 6% for the 2007-08 NHL season.^[3]

Richard Peddie is married to Colleen McAnoy. He is a graduate of the University of Windsor holding both Degree in Business Administration and an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Toronto Maple Leafs profile
• The Air Canada Centre profile
• University of Windsor profile
• WindsorWired.org profile