Rogers and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) announced plans this afternoon for a multi-year strategic partnership that will see Rogers become MLSE’s preferred supplier for telecom services including wireless voice and data, landline telephone, cable television and Internet access as well as Rogers becoming a sponsor for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Marlies and the recently launched Toronto FC soccer club.
Also included are sponsorship rights within Air Canada Centre and supplier rights to Maple Leaf Square, a sports and entertainment development that will be adjacent to Air Canada Centre and completed in 2009.
Rogers already owns the Toronto Blue Jays and the neighbouring Rogers Centre (formerly known as Skydome). MLSE is 15% owned by Bell Globemedia. BCE recently reduced its stake in Globemedia down to 20%.
Regular readers of this blog know that I am of the view that HDTV is where cable has an advantage over IPTV – and live sports programming presents the biggest challenge in delivery of multiple signals – it has to be real-time.
With TELUS breaking ground on its new building adjacent to Air Canada Centre, it looks like the Toronto Waterfront area is turning into a major communications industry battleground.