Rogers Communications execs said they “expect to complete” the purchase of the remaining 25% minority interest in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment “in the second half of this year, followed by plans for the recapitalization of the combined sports and media group in late 2026 or early 2027 through minority equity investments.” The company “then plans to use proceeds from the minority sale to pay down debt.” Analysts have suggested Rogers “could pay” about C$4B for the remaining MLSE stake. The company “will look to find synergies when it merges MLSE with its existing media division, in particular by trimming third-party supplier costs.” Rogers now estimates the “complete portfolio -- combining all of MLSE and Rogers’ existing sports and media assets -- will be worth” C$25B, a C$5B valuation increase since last fall, “attributable to the rising value of sports teams” (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/22).
Rogers expects to acquire remaining 25% of MLSE later this year
