Now that Babwatch is over, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment can go back to solving another important riddle: who will replace Tim Leiweke as the organization’s president and CEO.
Leiweke is scheduled to leave the job on June 30.
Sources say that early next week there will be final discussions to approve John Cassaday as Leiweke’s successor.
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The Globe and Mail reported Friday that Larry Tanenbaum, MLSE’s chairman, said, “We’re close,” when asked if the search was nearing its end.
Cassaday, who recently retired as president and CEO of Corus Entertainment, has long been rumoured the likely choice to succeed Leiweke.
The process hasn’t been easy. Since the announcement of Leiweke’s departure was made last summer, a number of potential candidates pulled out the running or declined to be interviewed. NHL chief operating officer John Collins, a widely reported candidate, pulled out of consideration months ago.
The organization pulled together to snatch Babcock from Detroit, but there is a history of internal conflict.
So, nothing is done until everything is signed. If things go smoothly, Cassaday could be announced as soon as next week.
