The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Toronto is the epicenter of sports and entertainment in Canada and MLSE is at the forefront of bringing sports-fans to their feet. Growing significantly from its hockey origins to becoming a diversified sports and entertainment powerhouse, MLSE is the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto FC (MLS), and Toronto Argonauts (CFL).
From ownership and management changes to key off-season roster moves, MLSE is leaning-into the change – all while preparing Toronto to host FIFA World Cup 26, one of Canada’s biggest sporting events in history.
On Thursday September 18th, the Empire Club of Canada will present “The Courage to Change in The Pursuit of Championships, a major speech by Keith Pelley, President and CEO of MLSE. Mr. Pelley’s remarks will be followed by a fireside chat.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this event foreshadowing a big sports year. Secure your tickets today!
Keith Pelley was appointed as President & Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) in April, 2024. MLSE is one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment companies as owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G-League) and Toronto FC II (MLS Next Pro), hosting more than 3.8 million fans at its venues each year.
In addition to its sports franchises, MLSE’s LIVE division has established Scotiabank Arena as one of the leading music and entertainment venues in the world, bringing hundreds of world-class shows to the building each year. The company will lead a $350 million Venue Reimagination Project to enhance the venue’s standing as one of the best in the world. The organization’s charitable arm, MLSE Foundation, has invested more than $65 million to support the community over the last 15 years and has impacted more than 30,000 youth annually through community programs, including operating the largest provider of youth Sport For Development programming in Ontario with MLSE LaunchPad.
Pelley, a Toronto native, joined MLSE following his role as CEO of the European Tour Group, which administers the DP World Tour, Challenge Tour, Legends Tour, G4DS Tour and the Ryder Cup in Europe.
Under Pelley’s leadership, the European Tour Group introduced the Rolex Series, DP World’s title partnership of the group’s main tour, the G4D Tour for Golfers with a disability, mixed events with LET and LPGA, and staged the two most successful Ryder Cups to be played on European soil in Paris (2018) and Rome (2023). Pelley also guided the Tour through the global COVID-19 pandemic, negotiated the full acquisition of European Tour Productions from IMG and formed strategic alliances with the PGA TOUR, the Sunshine Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, as well as established pathways for other Tours onto the DP World Tour as part of the ongoing efforts to make global golf more aligned. Pelley also served as the Chairman of the International Golf Federation.
Prior to joining the European Tour Group, Pelley served as President of Rogers Media from 2010 to 2015 where he was responsible for leading the overall operations of the company’s diverse portfolio including television, radio, publishing, digital media, The Shopping Channel, subscription-based content services, the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre. During his tenure, Pelley led the effort to secure the company’s groundbreaking 12-year broadcast and media rights deal with the NHL.
From 2007 to 2010, Pelley was Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning at CTVglobemedia and President of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, where he led Rogers’ and CTV’s unprecedented coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, delivering the fifth most-watched event in Canadian television history and earning a record seven Gemini Awards for its coverage.
Pelley served as President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts from 2004 to 2007, winning the Grey Cup in his first season with the club, following his role as President of The Sports Network (TSN), the company he first joined in 1986. In 1994, Pelley left TSN for FOX, where he worked as a game producer for the NFL, NFL Europe, NHL, and MLB, returning to TSN in 1997 as Senior Vice-President of Programming & Production. Pelley was appointed President of TSN in 2001.
Pelley has devoted much of his time to numerous charitable organizations over the years, including Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation and has received a number of industry awards and recognition, including twice being named Media Player of the Year (2012, 2011); Ryerson Alumni Achievement Award (2011); member of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame (2011); Special Olympics Ontario Sponsors Hall of Fame (2007) and Miles Nadal JCC Sportsman of the Year (2006).
Pelley graduated from Ryerson University (now called Toronto Metropolitan University) with a BA in Radio and Television Arts, and also received an ATCL Diploma from Trinity College in London.
Pelley and his wife, Joan, are the proud parents of Jason and Hope.
