BMO Training Ground is the practice facility of Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) and its minor league reserve team Toronto FC II of MLS Next Pro , and the home of the TFC Academy of MLS Next . The facility, which opened in 2012 and features a stadium with 1000 seats, is located at Downsview Park , in Toronto , Ontario , Canada .
189-583: In March 2011, Downsview Park was selected as the site of Toronto FC 's new state-of-the-art Academy and Training Facility. Construction began in May 2011, and the facility opened in June 2012. Spanning 14 acres, it includes three grass fields, one domed turf field for year round use, a 1000 seat stadium, and a field house. The first team facilities include a dressing room, hot tub, ice bath, rehabilitation pool, physiotherapy room, private dining, as well as seven dressing rooms for
378-687: A Canadian football field with artificial turf end-zones when the Toronto Argonauts move to BMO Field in 2016 , along with hosting the Grey Cup that year . On September 11, 2020, Connecticut governor Ned Lamont announced that Toronto FC would finish their season's home matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut , as well as during the playoffs, due to the Canadian government's response to limit cross- border travel during
567-582: A World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight title fight in April at Ricoh Coliseum, this was delayed due to regulatory restrictions on the amount of gauze that can be used for wrist wraps in Ontario. MLSE and Michel joined with Lennox Lewis to promote a WBC light-heavyweight title fight in September 2015 at Ricoh Coliseum. In August 2017 MLSE announced that it had reached an agreement with Scotiabank to rename
756-634: A domestic treble with the MLS Cup , Supporters' Shield and Canadian Championship , making them the first and only MLS club to ever do so. They are eight-time winners of the Canadian Championship and were runners-up of the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League and the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019 . As of 2023, the club has an estimated value of US$ 690 million, making them the sixth most valuable club behind Los Angeles FC , LA Galaxy , Atlanta United FC , New York City FC , and D.C. United , and have
945-585: A holding company for the Maple Leafs and their planned new arena Maple Leaf Gardens , from which the company got its name. Smythe transferred his ownership of the Leafs to the company in exchange for shares in MLGL and sold shares in the holding company to the public to help fund construction of the arena. While initially primarily a hockey company, with ownership stakes in a number of minor and junior hockey clubs including
1134-522: A $ 10 million contribution to the project by the City of Toronto, which owns the stadium, they receive rent from MLSE, while MLSE's management and naming rights agreements for the stadium, which were set to expire in 2027, were extended by 10 years. The province of Ontario also contributed $ 10 million to the financing. The City insisted that the renovations allow the Argonauts, who had to vacate their current home
1323-594: A 19.9% block of shares in MLGL from HEBL and a right of first refusal on the rest of HEBL's shares. The NHL did not learn of the deal until the late 1980s. In 1982, he offered to sell the company for $ 50 million, with the arena alone reportedly valued at $ 11 million, though a stockholders' report the following year placed the value of MLGL at $ 23.5 million. When Harold transferred ownership of his personal real estate holdings, which were valued at $ 2.52 million, to HEBL in January 1989, he acquired 4 newly issued common shares in
1512-597: A 1–1 draw, during which they lit a number of flares and committed vandalism. Following the game, some altercations broke out between the two supporter groups. Overwhelmed security called local police who ended the melees and made arrests, at which time a Toronto FC fan was tasered while being subdued. The first rematch back in Columbus Crew Stadium following the incident was boycotted by Toronto FC supporters in wake of restrictions imposed on them by Crew officials. The 2017 MLS Cup Eastern Conference finals were part of
1701-489: A 20-year lease (with an option to extend the term by a further 10 years) for the Coliseum , which had undergone a $ 38 million renovation in 2003, that called for rent to cover debt financing charges, property taxes and generate a return to the arena investors, which exceeds $ 4 million annually. In 2023 the city approved amendments to MLSE's lease of the Coliseum including a 10 year extension starting in 2025, with an option for
1890-474: A 25% share of MLGH from Stavro in 1996 for a reported $ 21 million. MLGV subsequently purchased all the remaining shares and took MLGL private in 1998, after acquiring more than the 90% of stock necessary to force objecting shareholders out, and MLGL and MLGV amalgamated. The purchase was the subject of an Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) review, due to allegations that MLGV had engaged in insider trading by failing to disclose that broadcast revenue
2079-743: A 2–2–0 record. Overall, they finished the MLS season on a 14-game winless streak and ended up in last place, with five wins and 23 points. It was announced Kevin Payne would be leaving D.C. United for the general manager position at Toronto FC on November 27, 2012. First-time coach Ryan Nelsen replaced Mariner as of January 7, 2013. On April 25, 2013, Payne signed the first young designated player in MLS, Matías Laba . On July 9, Payne controversially traded Luis Silva to D.C. United for an undisclosed amount of allocation money . The team fired Payne on September 4. Following
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#17330861158292268-418: A 3–0 loss at Canadian Classique rivals Montreal Impact . On June 29, 2016, Toronto FC won its fifth Canadian Championship against Vancouver 2–2 on aggregate, winning on away goals . Giovinco scored a hat-trick against D.C. United, on July 23, 2016, in a 4–1 home win, surpassing De Rosario's previous all-time record as Toronto FC's top scorer by two goals to 35 goals. In October 2016, Toronto FC clinched
2457-572: A D-League franchise, which would be named Raptors 905 and would begin play that fall at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga , a suburb of Toronto. The franchise reportedly cost $ 6 million. It was announced on January 23, 2009 that MLSE would acquire the 80.1% interest in GolTV Canada , a digital cable soccer channel, held by MLSE owner Tanenbaum through Insight Sports . The channel operated as
2646-507: A January 1991 deadline to repay its $ 20 million loan (including interest) from Molson, Stavro personally loaned the estate the funds to pay off the debt, and in exchange, he received an option to purchase the estate's HEBL shares before January 1996. Bill challenged the transaction, but it was approved by the court. In early 1991, Molson offered to buy the estate's shares for $ 40 each. In September 1991, Bill sold his HEBL stock to his father's estate for $ 21 million, giving it ownership of
2835-524: A couple of years to serve as a developmental team for the Raptors. Hamilton's Copps Coliseum and Oshawa were reportedly under consideration to host the franchise. However, a Canadian-based franchise posed difficulties due to tax and visa complications, and Rochester, New York, which is just across the United States border, was considered as an alternative. In May 2015 it was announced that MLSE had purchased
3024-659: A deal set to close in mid-2025. The corporation's roots can be traced back to 1927, when Conn Smythe organized a group of investors to purchase Toronto's premier hockey franchise, the Toronto St. Patricks of the National Hockey League (NHL), which had won Stanley Cup championships in 1918 (as the Toronto Arenas ) and 1922 , from a group headed by Charles Querrie . The club was playing poorly and minority partner Jack Bickell contacted Smythe about becoming coach of
3213-588: A deal with the team over the transfer of England international Jermain Defoe for a reported fee of £6 million, and an Advertising Rights Agreement with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. Defoe would earn a reported £90,000 a week, making him the highest earner in MLS. These moves required the trade of Matias Laba to Vancouver to comply with MLS's maximum of three designated players per team. On February 7, 2014, Brazil national team keeper Júlio César joined on loan from Queens Park Rangers . The team started
3402-442: A decision that underscored the depth of the club's crisis. Around this time, reports had surfaced that the club was suffering an internal crisis, with a fractured locker room and a hostile culture among players and management. Bradley's departure was followed by the appointment of Terry Dunfield as interim head coach, in a position he remained in until John Herdman 's arrival as the new long-term head coach with one game remaining in
3591-540: A developmental team for Maple Leafs. In 1929 Smythe decided, in the midst of the Great Depression , that the Maple Leafs needed a new arena. Arena Gardens , their then home which they shared with the Marlboros, had been built in 1912 and lacked modern amenities. It seated just 8,000, which the Maple Leafs were regularly filling. After considering various locations, the site at the corner of Carlton and Church streets
3780-559: A federal penitentiary. In 1966, Ballard set up a family holding company named Harold E. Ballard Ltd. (HEBL) for his assets, including his shares in MLGL, as part of an estate freeze . Ballard distributed 103 common shares in HEBL, with his three children (Bill, Harold Jr., and Mary Elizabeth) each receiving 34 which were held in trust , and his wife Dorothy receiving 1, which Harold would inherit upon her death three years later. Harold retained 308,000 preferred shares in HEBL. While
3969-466: A further 10 year extension. MLSE announced in April 2005 that they would be working with Cadillac Fairview (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan) and Lanterra Developments to build Maple Leaf Square , a major entertainment complex situated next to the ACC. The $ 500 million 1,700,000 square feet (160,000 m ) complex, which was completed in 2010, is a mixed use facility which features
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#17330861158294158-402: A goalless draw after extra-time. On June 27, 2017, Toronto FC won their sixth Canadian Championship 3–2 on aggregate over Montreal, earning them a spot in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League . On September 30, Toronto FC won their first Supporters' Shield with a 4–2 home win over New York Red Bulls to clinch top of the league with the most points that season . By doing so, they also became
4347-580: A heating and drainage system was also installed for $ 3.5 million to MLSE. In March 2012, TFC played its first-ever match in the Rogers Centre , the 49,982-seat home of Major League Baseball 's Toronto Blue Jays and former home of the Argonauts and the Toronto Raptors , hosting the LA Galaxy in the home leg of the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League championship round . The retractable roof stadium
4536-669: A league-imposed deadline. The team became the Victoria Maple Leafs for the following season. In June 1967 MLGL sold the team for $ 500,000 to a group from Phoenix, which relocated it to become the Phoenix Roadrunners . In 1964 MLGL the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Professional Hockey League were launched. The team was owned and operated by MLGL as a developmental club for the Maple Leafs. In
4725-518: A localized version of GOL TV USA , which owned the remaining 19.9%, with focus on Toronto FC. MLSE informed the CRTC in 2015 that it had acquired full ownership of the channel, however later that year they announced that it would cease operations and the license be abandoned, effective August 31, 2015. In November 2009 MLSE applied to the CRTC for a Category 2 digital TV license for a general interest sports service provisionally named Mainstream Sports, which
4914-403: A major renovation of BMO Field . Under a two phase process, the stadium's capacity was increased from 21,566 to 30,000 by May 2015, and a canopy roof covering most permanent seating areas was added and the pitch lengthened to accommodate a Canadian football field by May 2016. The renovations were originally budgeted to cost $ 120 million, but ended up at $ 150 million in total. In exchange for
5103-487: A management company that would own both the hockey team and the arena. A public offering of shares in MLGL was made at $ 10 each ($ 192.00 in 2023 dollars), with a free common share for each five preferred shares purchased. Ownership of the hockey team was transferred to MLGL in return for shares. To fund construction of the building, workers were paid 20% of their salary in MLG stock. Construction started on June 1, 1931, and MLG
5292-542: A new artificial turf field to replace the community use hours lost at BMO Field. The company manages the operations of the facility during the winter season, when the field is covered by the dome and community soccer programs are held. MLSE partnered with Rogers Communications in 2005 to bid to host a regular season National Football League game in Toronto . On January 30, 2008 it was announced that Rogers and Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of MLSE, had reached an agreement with
5481-475: A new five-year deal worth $ 4 million per season was signed. In February 2016, it was announced that BMO had extended its sponsorship agreement by another ten years. Maple Leaf Sports %26 Entertainment Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. ( MLSE ) is a professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Toronto , Ontario , Canada. With assets that include franchises in four of
5670-463: A new home arena for the Maple Leafs in the 1990s. At the time, the Raptors were constructing a new arena, later to be called Scotiabank Arena , which they invited the Maple Leafs to be a joint tenant at. However, MLGL reject the offer, arguing that "the footprint is too small". When Allan Slaight took over controlling ownership of the Toronto Raptors in late 1996, talks began again between
5859-450: A new proposal for a $ 250 million arena at Exhibition Place . However, after years of acrimonious negotiations MLGL purchased 100% of the Raptors basketball club and the ACC, from Allan Slaight and the Bank of Nova Scotia on February 12, 1998. MLGL paid a reported $ 467 million, made up of $ 179 million for the team and $ 288 million for the arena. Richard Peddie , who had been President of
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6048-527: A nine-game losing streak, setting an MLS record for the worst start to a season. Under Winter in 2012, the team's league record was 1–9–0 and in all other competitions was 3–1–4, including a fourth-straight Canadian Championship . He was replaced by Paul Mariner , but TFC continued to struggle finishing with a 4–12–8 record in league play under him. Toronto FC also failed to advance in the CONCACAF Champions League, finishing second in its group with
6237-568: A playoff spot for the second straight season. The team proceeded to defeat the Philadelphia Union at BMO Field in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round to record their first-ever playoff win and to secure entry into the first Eastern Conference Semi-final in franchise history. Toronto FC defeated New York City FC 7–0 on aggregate to reach an all-Canadian Eastern Conference finals derby against Montreal Impact. Montreal won
6426-449: A practice facility for the Argos, which would rent the facility from MLSE and practice on a nearby city owned field. The team moved in that September, but later moved their practice facility to Lamport Stadium in 2018. Then Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said in 2008 that MLSE was considering launching an NBA Development League franchise in the Toronto area within
6615-482: A record for most players used in a MLS season with 39. Despite a strong finish to the season with only two losses in their last 12 games, TFC missed the MLS playoffs for a fifth straight year. Nonetheless, they earned a win in their final group stage match of 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League visiting the FC Dallas , securing a berth in the knockout stage versus LA Galaxy . After a 2–2 draw in Toronto before 47,658 fans at
6804-510: A regular starter and immediately became a fan favourite. TFC only scored two goals in the final 15 minutes of games all season (last in MLS). During the same 15-minute period, they gave up 16 goals (most in MLS), thus creating a −14 goal differential during the final 15 minutes. In the 2009 Canadian Championship , Toronto FC required a four-goal victory over the Montreal Impact in the final game of
6993-596: A sports and entertainment facility, though MLSE eventually consented to allowing a small arena to be restored in the building to house Ryerson University's Ryerson Rams (now Toronto Metropolitan University 's TMU Bold ). The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) granted MLSE two category 2 digital specialty channel licenses in 2000 for Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV , which launched on September 7, 2001. The channels were used by MLSE to broadcast live games involving their teams in an attempt to increase competition for their rights and drive up
7182-678: A team for Toronto, MLGL offered $ 15 million for the San Francisco Giants but the team's owner decided in early 1976 to sell the club to the Labatt group for US$ 13.25 million. While the Giants' relocation was ultimately rejected by a U.S. court, Labatt was awarded an expansion team in the American League that became the Toronto Blue Jays for US$ 7 million later that year. A team named
7371-531: A winger on a free transfer; the contract is a four-year deal and began on July 1. Toronto FC also signed Italian defender Domenico Criscito on June 29, 2022, to a TAM deal. On July 15, 2022, they were joined by compatriot Federico Bernardeschi , who signed with Toronto FC; the contract is also a four-year deal. Both Insigne and Bernardeschi signed as designated players. Canadian internationals Doneil Henry , Mark-Anthony Kaye , and Richie Laryea were also acquired. The 2022–2023 off-season saw further overhaul of
7560-530: Is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto . The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference . The team plays its home matches at BMO Field , located at Exhibition Place on Toronto's shoreline west of Downtown Toronto . Toronto FC joined MLS in 2007 as an expansion team and was the first Canadian-based franchise in the league. The first team
7749-736: Is operated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), which also operates the MLS Next Pro affiliate team Toronto FC II and most other professional sports franchises in the city, like the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL), Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In 2017 , Toronto FC won
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7938-575: Is thought that control of the Argos by MLSE will enhance Toronto's chances of acquiring an NFL franchise, with Peddie saying "the NFL is telling them that if you want an NFL team, you better make sure the Argos are okay." Leiweke has said that moving into a renovated BMO field "will help turn [the Argos] around" and that "there's no way the NFL comes here without the CFL being unbelievably successful first." Upon completion of
8127-449: The 2018 CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 on February 20. After a goalless draw in the return leg against Colorado on February 27, TFC were matched up with Mexican side Tigres UANL for the quarterfinals, where they won the first leg 2–1 at home. In the return leg on March 13 in Mexico, TFC lost the match 3–2, however progressed to the semi-finals for the second time in its history since
8316-574: The 2019 Playoffs . Toronto FC progressed to the final on November 10, 2019, where they faced the Seattle Sounders for the third time in four of the then-most recent MLS Cup finals held; Toronto FC was ultimately defeated in Seattle by a score of 3–1. On February 7, 2020, Toronto FC signed Argentine Pablo Piatti as a designated player, while Michael Bradley signed a new contract below the designated player salary, while remaining as captain. Marking
8505-546: The Buffalo Bills to host an annual regular-season and three exhibition NFL games over five seasons at Toronto's Rogers Centre beginning in 2008, with the games branded the Bills Toronto Series . At the time MLSE was considering bringing an NFL team to Toronto permanently and building them a new stadium, but abandoned the idea when they concluded that the project would not generate sufficient financial return to justify
8694-558: The COVID-19 pandemic . Likewise, Toronto FC played some of their home games in Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida during the 2021 season. Exploria Stadium is also home to Orlando City SC . Toronto FC's initial seasons saw TFC fans set the standard for MLS fan support, selling out its first three seasons. Referred to as the model franchise off the field by MLS commissioner Don Garber ,
8883-672: The Canadian Soccer Association 's representative in the CONCACAF Champions League , Toronto FC played in the inaugural Canadian Championship in 2008 competing for the Voyageurs Cup . TFC were the favourites to win the championship in its first year, but the Montreal Impact prevailed. The last-place New York Red Bulls defeated Toronto FC 5–0 in the final 2009 regular season game, leaving TFC one point out of
9072-519: The Denver Invaders and act as the Leafs' farm team. Though the league did not acknowledge that the Maple Leafs had an ownership stake in the team, they held a majority position with the Denver partners only owning roughly 36%. Following reported losses of $ 150,000 in their first season, Smythe announced that the team would be relocated after the team failed to reach a 2,000 season ticket target by
9261-609: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL from owner Michael DeGroote , but this offer was also rejected. Three money-losing seasons later, in February 1978, DeGroote sold the team to MLGL for $ 1.3 million. During his tenure as owner of the Tiger-Cats, Ballard repeatedly threatened to move the franchise to Toronto's Varsity Stadium, which was vetoed by the Argos, and claimed to have lost roughly $ 20 million over 11 seasons. MLGL sold
9450-638: The MLS Golden Boot , MLS MVP and MLS Newcomer of the Year Award . He was named to the MLS All-Star Game and the MLS Best XI and became the first player in MLS history to lead the league in both goals and assists in a single season. Toronto FC clinched a playoff berth on October 14, for the first time in franchise history. The team were eliminated in the knockout round of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs by
9639-559: The National Lacrosse League in 1998, in which they lost $ 250,000 playing at Copps Coliseum , owner Chris Fritz was forced to look for partners. MLSE engaged in negotiations to purchase the team and have it play at MLG. However, a group which included Bill Watters , the then Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, ultimately bought the team for $ 250,000 and promptly moved it to MLG where they rebranded
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#17330861158299828-573: The Newmarket Saints (1986–1991) and St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador as the St. John's Maple Leafs (1991–2005), the team moved to Toronto as the Toronto Marlies (named after the company's former junior team) where they have been playing ever since. The Toronto Marlboros served as a junior farm team for the Maple Leafs for 40 years until direct NHL sponsorship of junior clubs ended in 1967 when
10017-596: The Ontario Soccer League before joining League1 Ontario for the 2014 season. In September 2018, the U20 team left L1O and transformed into a U19 team that competes in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA), along with U17 and U15 teams. The USSA announced on April 15, 2020 that they were ceasing operations permanently due to financial struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, MLS announced that it
10206-503: The Rogers Centre , Toronto FC defeated the Galaxy 2–1 in Los Angeles to reach the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals, the first Canadian team to do so. They were defeated by Mexican side Santos Laguna in the semi-finals 7–3 on aggregate. On June 7, 2012, Aron Winter resigned from the team upon refusing to be reassigned from his head coaching role after the team started the season with
10395-465: The TFC Academy youth system to develop soccer players for Toronto FC by taking advantage of MLS's new homegrown player rule which allows clubs to retain the rights to players they develop without them being subject to the MLS SuperDraft . The senior academy team originally competed in the Canadian Soccer League until pulling out in early 2013 due to the CSL losing its sanctioning from the Canadian Soccer Association . The team played that year in
10584-405: The Toronto Maple Leafs competed in the inaugural season of the National Lacrosse Association , a professional box lacrosse league, in 1968 at MLG. MLGL owners Ballard and Stafford Smythe were two of the five founding partners of the club, but financial difficulties forced MLGL to take over ownership midway through the season. The NLA suspended operations prior to the following season. In
10773-478: The Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association , the company later branched out to own the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL from the late 1970s to late 1980s, before merging with the Raptors, who were constructing the Air Canada Centre at the time, and adopting their current name in 1998. The company launched Toronto FC in 2007. Most recently, the company completed its purchase of the Argonauts in January 2018. Over most of its 80 plus years of existence MLSE
10962-500: The Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), Raptors 905 of the NBA G League and Toronto FC II of the MLS Next Pro , respectively. In addition, it owns Scotiabank Arena (originally named Air Canada Centre), the home arena of the Maple Leafs and Raptors, and the OVO Athletic Centre (originally named BioSteel Centre), the practice facility for the Raptors. MLSE also manages or has invested in several other sports facilities including BMO Field , home of Toronto FC and
11151-429: The Toronto Shooting Stars of the National Professional Soccer League . The team had been suspended following their inaugural season playing at MLG during which the club lost nearly $ 1 million and the league was forced to take over operations after only three games when ownership pulled out. However, the team never returned to play. Following the inaugural season of the Hamilton, Ontario -based Ontario Raiders of
11340-402: The naming rights for the new stadium. It is the largest soccer-specific stadium in Canada. It is owned by the City of Toronto , while MLSE, the team's owner, operates it. Following criticism of BMO Field's use of FieldTurf and its rapid deterioration, MLSE agreed to a deal with the city to replace it with a natural grass surface in time for the 2010 MLS Season . Along with the grass,
11529-442: The "Cashbox on Carlton Street", referring to the address of the arena. Upon Harold's death on April 11, 1990, most of his estate, which was worth less than $ 50 million, was left to charitable organizations. The executors of Harold's will were supermarket tycoon Steve Stavro , Giffin, and Donald Crump . In November 1990 Molson exercised their option on 19.9% of the company, paying $ 10,000 for 735,575 of HEBL's MLGL shares, which at
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#173308611582911718-456: The $ 911,000 debt HEBL owed him from his two transactions with the company. This gave Harold, who feared that Bill was positioning himself to take over the holding company, control of HEBL. Harold did not want his bickering children to inherit MLGL because he feared they would destroy it. Though Ballard ran up significant amounts of personal debt during his ownership of MLGL, he made the company very profitable, so much so that MLG became known as
11907-445: The 2011–12 Champions League, on away goals, following a 4–4 draw on aggregate. On April 10, TFC drew 1–1 to Club América at the Estadio Azteca in the second leg of the semi-final after a 3–1 home win on April 3 in the first leg, to advance 4–2 on aggregate to the finals for the first time in their history. After a 2–1 home loss to Guadalajara on April 17 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final, Toronto FC would win
12096-425: The 2018–19 off-season, on January 4, 2019, Toronto FC announced the appointment of Ali Curtis as general manager after the departure of Bezbatchenko. After failing to reach a contract agreement with the club, on January 30, 2019, Toronto FC sold Giovinco to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal for an undisclosed fee. On March 4, 2019, Spaniard Alejandro Pozuelo signed with Toronto FC as a designated player to help fill
12285-534: The 34 acquired shares in HEBL as security. Harold Jr.'s shares were subsequently retired. Bill sued his father for $ 170 million over HEBL's acquisition of Harold Jr.'s stake, claiming that he and partner Michael Cohl had acquired a right of first refusal to purchase the shares for $ 20 million that February. Shortly thereafter, HEBL issued Harold 32 common shares and $ 125,216 in exchange for ownership of his 350,200 personally held MLGL shares and $ 125,000. Two more new common shares would be granted to Harold to repay
12474-472: The 401 Derby as well, with Toronto FC winning the series 7–5 on aggregate. Columbus Crew and Toronto FC have competed for the Trillium Cup since 2008. Although a manufactured rivalry, albeit linked by the fact that the official flower of both Ontario and Ohio is the white trillium ( Trillium grandiflorum ), the meetings have since sparked bitterness. On March 28, 2009, approximately 1,700 Toronto FC supporters travelled to Columbus Crew Stadium and witnessed
12663-479: The ABA with a plan to merge them into a single Toronto-based team, but the deal fell through. Later, Richman held negotiations with the Detroit Pistons , which were seeking $ 5 million for the franchise, but pulled out when the price was raised to $ 8.25 million. MLGL attempted to purchase and relocate the Buffalo Braves , which had played a number of regular season games at MLG over the years, to Toronto in 1974 for $ 8.5 million, and again several times later, but
12852-519: The ACC Scotiabank Arena, effective July 1, 2018, for a reported CAD $ 800 million over 20 years, which would make it the largest such deal in North American sports history. MLSE announced in December 2017 that it had agreed to purchase the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League outright, with the deal finalized on January 19, 2018. In May 2022, Tanenbaum indicated that MLSE was exploring opportunities for professional women's sports teams in hockey, basketball, and soccer for Toronto. Although
13041-435: The Academy teams, and a kitchen, cafeteria, media room, classroom and offices for coaching staff. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), owner of Toronto FC, spent more than $ 21 million building the facility and pays rent for the land, with an aim to becoming the epicentre of soccer development in Canada. The facility was originally known as KIA Training Ground , due to a naming rights deal with Kia . In July 2014 it
13230-421: The Academy. The team began play in 2015 at a newly renovated 2,000 seat stadium, with plans to expand it to 5,000 by 2017, constructed at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan , just north of Toronto. However, after the expansion did not materialize, which was required to meet the 5,000 seat minimum requirement set by the United States Soccer Federation for the USL to be sanctioned as a division 2 league,
13419-454: The Argonauts. Combined with their 306,295 jointly controlled shares, the transaction gave the Stafford-Ballard partnership 78% of the stock. Stafford died in October 1971 of a bleeding ulcer at only 50 years of age, just before his trial was scheduled to begin. Under the terms of Stafford's will, of which Ballard was an executor , each partner was allowed to buy the other's shares upon their death. Stafford's brother and son tried to keep
13608-508: The Canadian Championships. Toronto FC's biggest rival, CF Montréal (formerly known as Montreal Impact), joined MLS in 2012. In the years leading up to this, they emerged as fierce rivals during the Canadian Championship . The proximity of the two cities and the fact that Toronto and Montreal are long-standing rivals in the National Hockey League (NHL) contributes to these meetings being combative. Since both teams have joined MLS,
13797-415: The City of Toronto to build a practice facility for the Raptors at Exhibition Place. MLSE paid the $ 30 million construction cost, and leases the property from the city for $ 205,000 annually, subject to reassessments for inflation, for a 20-year term, with two options to extend it by a further 10 years, following which the city would take ownership of the building. Construction was completed in time for
13986-545: The Hawk is a female Harris's hawk employed by BMO Field falconry staff to sit perched atop the field to ward off seagulls . Originally brought to work in 2007 to prevent seagulls from attacking patrons, the hawk has become a fixture of BMO Field. She has also been employed at Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (renamed Budweiser Stage in 2018 due to a change in naming rights between the multinational breweries ) in Ontario Place to
14175-498: The Hotel St. Germain, e11ven restaurant, Real Sports Apparel, Real Sports Bar and Grill, Longo's grocery store, office space and condominium residences. In conjunction with the construction of Maple Leaf Square was a two-year, $ 48 million renovation of the ACC to connect it with the square, which added a new atrium that includes a high-definition broadcast studio for Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GolTV Canada . The external wall of
14364-490: The Leafs. They purchased most of the remaining 45% in 1963, boosting their ownership share to 98% by November 1964. In July 1966 the Maple Leafs sold the team to a group which included their then General Manager Punch Imlach for a reported $ 400,000. In June 1963 the Spokane Comets Western Hockey League franchise was purchased by a group led by the Maple Leafs, who relocated them to become
14553-574: The MLS Cup Final for the second time in a row. On December 9, 2017, at home, Toronto FC defeated Seattle 2–0 in the MLS Cup , which was a rematch of the previous year's MLS Cup. Toronto FC became the first MLS team to complete a domestic treble with their win, as well as the first Canadian team to win the MLS Cup. Toronto FC started the 2018 season with a 2–0 away win over the Colorado Rapids in
14742-647: The NHL made the Entry Draft universal. In October 1988, with the team losing hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, MLGL reached an agreement to sell the Marlboros for a reported $ 500,000, severing their ties with the Maple Leafs. However, the Leafs retained the rights to the Marlies name. The OHL team moved to Hamilton for the 1989–90 season, becoming the Dukes of Hamilton . In 1967 MLGL entered into negotiations to purchase
14931-459: The Rogers Centre, to move in. The sale of the Argos in May 2015 to a new ownership group consisting of MLSE owners Bell and Tanenbaum was accompanied by an announcement that they had reached an agreement with MLSE to relocate to the stadium for the 2016 season. The Argos contributed $ 10 million to the conversion of the field to make it CFL compatible, which was matched by MLSE. MLSE financed
15120-456: The Toronto Argonauts; Coca-Cola Coliseum , home of the Marlies; Ford Performance Centre , the practice facility of the Maple Leafs and Marlies; BMO Training Ground practice facility for Toronto FC and home of Toronto FC II and the TFC Academy ; and Lamport Stadium , practice facility for the Argonauts. MLSE was founded by Conn Smythe in 1931 as Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (MLGL) to act as
15309-554: The Toronto Blue Jays of MLB and Sportsnet from Rogers Communications , but concerns about the viability of Rogers Centre as a baseball venue and the profitability of the team resulted in the company not pursuing either. The company also considered investing in an English soccer club, and in May 2012, after the Leeds United Supporters Trust put out a request for a takeover from majority shareholder Ken Bates , it
15498-523: The Toronto Maple Leafs as their farm team. MLGL and the Black Hawks each owned half of the franchise. However, by 1980 MLGL had decided that the Leafs needed a team of their own, with a spokesperson citing the limited number of roster spots as the rationale for the move. In 1981 the Cincinnati Tigers of the old Central Hockey League were established under the ownership of MLGL, but
15687-400: The Toronto Raptors, was retained in the merger and became MLSE's President and CEO. That July the company adopted a new name, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), to reflect its broader holdings. MLSE subsequently ordered major modifications to the original design of the ACC, which was basketball-specific, to make it more suitable for hockey. Originally planned to cost $ 217 million,
15876-472: The Trillium Cup as well, with Toronto FC winning the series 1–0 on aggregate. The official team colours include red as the primary colour, with black, grey, dark grey, and white as secondary colours. The primary uniform (jersey, shorts, and socks) is red with alternating lighter and darker horizontal bands, black sleeves with red trim, and a vertical black band below each sleeve extending the full length of
16065-474: The appointment of Jonathan Osorio as club captain and a recommitment from stars Insigne and Bernardeschi. Notable signings to begin the season included the return of Richie Laryea completed via a transfer from Nottingham Forest and the signing of Kevin Long from Birmingham . Honduran international Deybi Flores , former Newcastle player Matty Longstaff , and Sheffield youth defender Nicksoen Gomis also joined
16254-511: The arena's opening in November 2006 led MLSE to request that its contract be terminated in March 2008. The company had been attempting to get into the business of managing facilities beyond those where their teams play but decided to withdraw, with Bob Hunter, MLSE's Vice President of venues and entertainment, saying that managing the arena was "no longer a strategic focus for us". In 2008 MLSE launched
16443-412: The atrium features a 30 by 50-foot (15 m) video screen which often broadcasts games to spectators gathered in the plaza in front of the arena. MLSE was awarded a Major League Soccer expansion team for Toronto, which would become known as Toronto FC , in 2005 for US$ 10 million. The company also agreed to contribute $ 8 million towards the construction of Toronto FC's future home BMO Field , which
16632-572: The balance sold to Rochester interests. The team was named the Rochester Americans . The Amerks were a joint affiliate of both the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs, though the club was operated by the Canadiens. In the summer of 1959 the Maple Leafs bought out the Canadiens' ownership share of the club, giving them a 55% controlling interest, due to concerns that with Montreal operating the club they were giving their prospects priority over those of
16821-415: The budget was increased to $ 265 million after MLSE took control. In February 1999 the company opened the ACC as the new home to the Leafs and Raptors. MLG, which was left with no major tenants, was sold in 2004 for $ 12 million to Loblaw Companies , Canada's largest food retailer, which converted the ground level into one of its Loblaws franchises. A condition of the sale was that it was not to be used as
17010-478: The building. The arena was originally operated by the Lakeshore Lions Club, but in June 2011, with the arena on the verge of defaulting on its rising debt, the City of Toronto took control and assumed its $ 43.4 million debt with the intention to return it to private management within 2–3 years. A city councillor has suggested that MLSE, which operates BMO Field and Coca-Cola Coliseum on behalf of
17199-429: The charges were laid, Bassett argued to the board of directors that Stafford and Ballard should be removed from their posts. On June 26, 1969, following an 8–7 vote of the board, Stafford and Ballard were both fired, and Bassett was appointed president of MLGL. However, Bassett did not force Stafford and Ballard to sell their shares, and both men remained on the board. This proved to be a serious strategic blunder; Stafford
17388-437: The city, would be "the logical party" to take over the arena, and a spokesperson for the company said "while we don't have any interest in purchasing the facility, we are open to discussing the possibility of managing the facility on behalf of the City". MLSE's executive vice president of venues and entertainment Bob Hunter confirmed that they would bid for the right to run the building. At one point MLSE contemplated purchasing
17577-403: The club announced that it would move its home games to BMO Field and Lamport Stadium beginning with the 2018 season. On July 2, 2018 the club announced they would move to USL League One for the league's first season in 2019. The club joined the MLS Next Pro league for its first season in 2022, moving their home games to York Lions Stadium . In March 2011 Downsview Park was selected as
17766-429: The club roster, including the additions of American Matt Hedges and Norwegian Adama Diomande , and the return of Victor Vazquez . Jason Hernandez became general manager of Toronto FC. The 2023 season for Toronto FC was marked by significant challenges, both on and off the field, leading to a period of transition and change within the club. Despite a full offseason with Insigne and Bernardeschi, and other new additions,
17955-404: The club's name is the conventional initialism for association football teams across Europe and is commonly used among MLS teams to present a more authentic soccer brand. Despite a long scoreless streak to start the club's history, Toronto FC quickly began to establish itself as a club with significant fan support . The club's first win came on May 12, 2007, at BMO Field as Danny Dichio scored
18144-480: The company explored applying for a Toronto based Women's National Basketball Association expansion franchise, they eventually decided against it. Instead, Tanenbaum's Kilmer Sports Ventures independently submitted an application for a WNBA expansion team for Toronto , which was granted by the league in May 2024. Friisdahl announced that he was leaving MLSE in January 2022, with CFO Cynthia Devine named interim President and CEO to replace him. In January 2024 it
18333-401: The company plus a promise of a further $ 896,472 rather than cash. Mary Elizabeth sold her stake in HEBL to her father for $ 15.5 million in January 1989, after originally having a deal to sell the stake to Don Giffin, while Harold Jr. sold his back to HEBL for $ 21 million in June of the same year. Harold secured a loan from Molson for the full amount of his buyout of Mary Elizabeth, using
18522-456: The company until 1947, following a power struggle between directors who supported him as president and those who wanted him replaced with Frank J. Selke . With the help of a $ 300,000 loan from Toronto stockbroker and MLGL shareholder Percy Gardiner, and the support of minority partner Jack Bickell, Smythe was able to buy 30,000 shares in MLGL from Gardiner and installed himself as president on November 19, 1947, replacing Edward Bickle. The loan
18711-403: The company. Ballard fronted Stafford most of the money for the purchase though a loan he obtained. According to several sources, Conn thought the sale was only to his son, and was furious when he learned that Ballard and Bassett were his partners. He had hoped that Stafford would keep MLGL for his son, Tommy. However, it is unlikely that Stafford could have raised the millions needed for
18900-556: The competition to nullify the Vancouver Whitecaps ' +4 goal differential. Anything less would result in Vancouver winning the championship. Toronto FC went down 1–0 early but overwhelmed an under-strength Impact side 6–1 on the back of a hat-trick by De Rosario. Guevara added two, scoring in the 69th and 92nd minute. Chad Barrett scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, which gave TFC the lead over Vancouver. The unlikely victory
19089-498: The deal on his own. Stafford became president of MLGL and governor of the Maple Leafs, with Ballard becoming executive vice president and Bassett chairman of the board. In March 1966, Conn sold his remaining MLGL shares and resigned from the board of directors after a Muhammad Ali boxing match was scheduled for MLG. He found Ali's refusal to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War to be offensive, and said that by accepting
19278-462: The death of Bills' owner Ralph Wilson in 2014 the group submitted an offer to purchase the franchise, with speculation that they would move the team to Toronto when their lease permitted it, but were outbid by the Pegulas . Before MLSE completed its purchase of the Argonauts of the CFL in early 2018, the company contemplated purchasing the team at least twice, with minority partner Tanenbaum keen to add
19467-474: The early 1970s MLGL announced plans to apply for a second Toronto-based Canadian Football League team, in addition to the Toronto Argonauts , which would play at Varsity Stadium , but the proposal never went anywhere. In 1974, when his former partner John W. H. Bassett put the Argonauts up for sale for $ 3.3 million, Ballard expressed interest in buying the team, but it was ultimately sold to William R. Hodgson . Shortly thereafter Ballard tried to buy
19656-426: The entire company. Shortly thereafter it was announced that Stavro had reached a deal with Molson on an option to purchase their MLGL shares until April 1994 and for Molson to waive their option on the estate's shares. Stavro founded MLG Ventures (MLGV) in March 1994 with partners Toronto—Dominion Bank and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan . MLG Holdings Ltd. (MLGH), of which Stavro owned 80% and TD Bank controlled
19845-522: The equity of the company was vested in the common stock, both common and preferred shares each received a single vote, ensuring that Harold retained control of the company. After getting into financial difficulty, Ballard reached an agreement in November 1980 with Molson Brewery (who at the time owned the Montreal Canadiens) for the company to cover his debt financing charges on a loan of $ 8.8 million for 10 years in exchange for an option to purchase
20034-679: The fees paid by other broadcasters. In August 2004 MLSE announced that they would relocate their AHL farm team from St. John's, Newfoundland to Toronto to play in Ricoh Coliseum (later renamed Coca-Cola Coliseum) for the 2005–06 season, after the arena was left without a hockey tenant following the termination of their lease with the Toronto Roadrunners , the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers , for defaulting on their rent. MLSE agreed to
20223-530: The fight, MLGL owners had "put cash ahead of class." Within three years under the new owners, profits had tripled to just under $ 1 million. Ballard negotiated lucrative deals to place advertising throughout the building, and greatly increased the number of seats in the arena. Following a Royal Canadian Mounted Police raid at MLG in 1968, Stafford was charged with income tax evasion, and he and Ballard were accused of illegally taking money from MLGL to pay for home renovations and other personal expenses. Just before
20412-461: The financially struggling Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team of the minor AAA International League . The asking price was $ 60,000. The deal ultimately fell apart due to concerns about the team's stadium, Maple Leaf Stadium , which needed up to $ 250,000 in repairs and whose owner wanted $ 4 million to purchase it, and the team was sold and relocated to become the Louisville Colonels for
20601-546: The first Canadian team to win the Supporters' Shield. On October 22, the final day of the season, they played to a 2–2 away result against Atlanta United FC , where Toronto FC set a new MLS regular season points record with 69, eclipsing the 1998 LA Galaxy by one point. On November 29, 2017, Toronto FC won the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in a row, with a 1–0 aggregate win over Columbus Crew, also entering
20790-598: The first leg of the Conference Championship, 3–2 at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on November 22. Toronto beat Montreal 5–2 in extra time in the return leg at BMO Field in Toronto on November 30, winning on an aggregated score of 7–5, making Toronto FC the first Canadian team to compete in an MLS Cup Final. On December 10, Toronto lost the final at home to Seattle Sounders FC 5–4 in penalty shoot-out following
20979-440: The first leg on a goal by Chad Barrett, and tied 2–2 in the second leg on goals by De Rosario and Barrett, qualifying for the group stage. Toronto FC won their first group stage match 2–1 against Mexican side Cruz Azul on August 17, 2010. However, the team failed to qualify for the championship round after finishing in third place behind group winners Real Salt Lake and second place Cruz Azul. On November 3, 2010, MLSE announced
21168-488: The following season. MLGL owner Harold Ballard said that the company's interest was due in part to help position itself to go after a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise for Toronto. In early 1974 MLGL announced plans to build a new baseball stadium in Toronto, but the city ultimately decided to renovate Exhibition Stadium to make it suitable for baseball. At the time, the MLGL group, led by Lorne Duguid, vice-president of Hiram Walker Distillers and MLGL executive,
21357-584: The highest player payroll in Major League Soccer. MLS awarded Toronto a team in 2005. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) paid US$ 10 million for the franchise. The name of the team was announced on May 11, 2006. The announcement followed an online consultation in which the public was invited to vote on the name for a limited period. The voting options were "Toronto Northmen", "Inter Toronto FC", "Toronto Reds", and "Toronto FC". MLSE's strategy in choosing "Toronto FC" following this process
21546-485: The hiring of former German international and coach Jürgen Klinsmann , and his California-based company, SoccerSolutions, to fix the team's game. Over the next six months, Klinsmann assessed the team, identifying a playing style, and recommended a candidate for the director of soccer position. On January 6, 2011, the new management team for Toronto FC was announced. Aron Winter was hired as head coach with his compatriot Bob de Klerk named first assistant coach. Paul Mariner
21735-497: The interim title. Toronto FC finished the season in second-last place, and on November 22, 2021, Curtis left his post as general manager. Two days later, Bob Bradley (father of Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley ) was announced as the head coach replacement for Pérez, and in the same announcement, Bob Bradley was also named sporting director. On January 8, 2022, Italian international Lorenzo Insigne signed with Toronto FC as
21924-403: The jersey. The secondary uniform includes white jerseys with a large red horizontal band below a smaller blue band across the chest with blue and red trim, white socks with blue trim, and with either red or blue shorts (the choice of which is subject to the opponent's uniform). In its first three seasons, Toronto FC's secondary uniform colours were light and dark grey. In the following four seasons,
22113-417: The land. In return, MLSE got the management rights for the stadium for 20 years. Prior to the 2010 MLS season, MLSE spent $ 3.5 million to convert the stadium from FieldTurf to natural grass, and a further $ 2 million to expand the north end by 1,400 seats. As part of the deal to convert the field to natural grass, MLSE spent $ 1.2 million adding a winter bubble to Lamport Stadium and $ 800,000 building
22302-492: The owners eventually chose to move the team to San Diego . When Toronto was awarded an expansion NBA franchise in 1974 for the 1975–76 season MLGL was one of three groups to bid for the rights to the team, but the club never materialized as no group was able to secure funding for the expansion fee of $ 6.8 million. MLGL attempted to purchase and relocate the Houston Rockets in 1975, which were seeking $ 8 million for
22491-509: The playoffs. Despite bringing in some high-profile talent, the Reds could not seem to field a consistent side. Dwayne De Rosario became an immediate scoring influence and Amado Guevara was a strong playmaker and established MLS veteran, but the Honduran's future at the Canadian team seemed murky with looming 2010 FIFA World Cup duties. Rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei quickly replaced Greg Sutton as
22680-540: The remaining 20%, held a 51% ownership stake in MLGV, with the remaining 49% owned by Teachers'. The following month MLGV announced that they had reached an agreement to purchase the 60.3% of MLGL held by Harold's estate for $ 34 a share or $ 75 million total, valuing the company at $ 125 million. The estate still owned Stavro $ 23 million at the time. Molson also sold its 19.9% of MLGL to MLGV in April 1994 for $ 25 million. Larry Tanenbaum's company Kilmer Sports purchased
22869-453: The removal of Payne, recently appointed MLSE president Tim Leiweke reasoned that there were philosophical differences between them as to how Toronto FC should move forward. Leiweke, who brought David Beckham to the LA Galaxy in early 2007, quickly revealed that he intended to make TFC more competitive with similarly ambitious, blockbuster signings. On September 20, Toronto FC announced that
23058-466: The rest of the project, and was responsible for cost overruns. The renovated stadium can be temporarily expanded to a capacity of roughly 40,000 for big events. The Argos purchase agreement called for two Grey Cups to be played at BMO Field, the first being the 104th Grey Cup in 2016, and the stadium was chosen to host rugby sevens at the 2015 Pan Am Games and the 2017 NHL Centennial Classic . In August 2014, MLSE reached an agreement with
23247-403: The return away leg 2–1 on April 25, leading to a draw on aggregate, but lost 4–2 in the penalty shootout. Later in the season, on September 19, Toronto FC played against Tigres UANL in the inaugural Campeones Cup , losing the match 3–1 at home. They failed to qualify for the playoffs after a 2–1 home loss against Vancouver on October 6, 2018, with three games left to play in the season. During
23436-736: The return of soccer after its suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic , during the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Bay Lake, Florida , Toronto FC reached the round of 16, but they lost 3–1 to New York City FC on July 16, 2020. Following the MLS is Back Tournament, due to Canadian government restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto FC played its six regular-season home matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut . On December 1, 2020, Vanney stepped down as head coach and technical director after seven years with
23625-592: The rivalry has intensified and the matches have become a Canadian soccer classic, nicknamed the 401 Derby after Ontario Highway 401 , a freeway that indirectly links the two cities (alongside Quebec Autoroute 20 ). The rivalry is also known as the Canadian Classique. On March 16, 2013, Toronto FC fans set an MLS record for travelling support with 3,200 away fans in Montreal to watch TFC lose 2–1, eclipsing their own record of 2,400 at Columbus Crew in 2008. The 2016 MLS Cup Eastern Conference finals were part of
23814-570: The roster to reflect the U.S. Hall of Fame's plan to play a tough, defensive style. Despite scoring troubles, TFC played well at the start, going undefeated in seven games at one time. The team struggled following the World Cup break . Sensing problems in the locker room and to try to salvage the season, MLSE dismissed both Johnston and Preki on September 14, naming Earl Cochrane interim director of soccer and Nick Dasovic interim coach. The players responded to Dasovic's more open flexible style, but it
24003-523: The sale, MLSE now owns four of the five major league sports teams in Toronto (only the Blue Jays are not owned by MLSE, although Rogers Communications, which owns the Blue Jays, has an ownership stake in MLSE). When the nearby city of Oshawa built a new arena, known as General Motors Centre , MLSE was chosen to manage the building. However, disappointing results in the first year and a half of operations following
24192-401: The season. This era was characterized by introspection within the club, with a focus on developing a cohesive team strategy, fostering a culture of accountability, and leveraging the club's youth talent to build a competitive squad for the future. During this season, young talent such as Kobe Franklin and Deandre Kerr emerged as regular contributors to the team. Toronto FC's 2024 roster saw
24381-551: The shares within the family, but in February 1972 Ballard bought all 251,545 of Stafford's shares for $ 7.5 million, valuing the company at $ 22 million. Stafford's brother Hugh also sold his shares to Ballard, ending the Smythe family's 45-year involvement in the company. Combined with Ballard's 262,162 shares, this gave him majority ownership of about 70%. Six months later, Ballard was convicted of 47 charges, including fraud and theft of money and goods, and sentenced to three years in
24570-590: The significant cost of the project. Subsequently, MLSE president Tim Leiweke said on an NFL team in Toronto: "We can't own a team (per NFL rules), but we do have more expertise on how to build (stadiums) than anyone ... MLSE can play a role." It has been reported that MLSE is interested in building and managing the proposed NFL stadium, which it has already begun designing. In 2013 MLSE minority owner Tanenbaum and board member Edward Rogers III partnered with musician Jon Bon Jovi to purchase an NFL team. Following
24759-478: The site of Toronto FC's new state-of-the-art academy and training facility. Construction began on the BMO Training Ground in May 2011, and the facility opened in June 2012. It includes three grass fields, one domed turf field and a field house. MLSE spent more than $ 21 million building the facility and pays rent for the land, In July 2014 it was announced that MLSE would expand the training grounds to house
24948-618: The six major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada , it is the largest sports and entertainment company in Canada, and one of the largest in North America . The primary holdings of the company are its major sports franchises, the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League , Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association , Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League , and Toronto FC of Major League Soccer , as well as their minor league farm teams ,
25137-477: The six cities to apply Toronto was not one of the four which were successful. It was not until the NBA awarded an expansion franchise to John Bitove , over a group led by future MLSE minority owner Larry Tanenbaum which was supported MLGL, that the city would get an NBA team, with the Toronto Raptors joining the NBA for the 1995–96 season. In 1997 it was reported that the Maple Leafs were in negotiations to purchase
25326-595: The south to prevent seagulls from attacking concert-goers since the 1990s. While no official word has come from the club about her status, fans and the media consider her the mascot of the team. The club shares a soccer rivalry with several clubs in the MLS, including the Columbus Crew and CF Montréal . Toronto FC also have a rivalry with the other Canadian team, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC . CF Montréal and Vancouver Whitecaps FC compete with Toronto FC in
25515-745: The spring of 1973 it was announced that the Oilers would relocate to become the Oklahoma City Blazers . Prior to the 1976–77 season the Maple Leafs decided to share an affiliate with the Chicago Black Hawks in an attempt to reduce costs, and pulled out of the Blazers. In 1978 the New Brunswick Hawks of the AHL were established, and were jointly operated by the Chicago Black Hawks and
25704-450: The start of the 2010 MLS Season . A$ 120 million renovation to the stadium was officially announced September 23, 2014. It included a second tier of seating that added 8,400 seats, raising the capacity of the stadium to 30,991. New suites, washrooms, concourse and a roof were added. Construction began in September 2014 and would be divided into two phases; the completion of the project was set for May 2016. The expansion would accommodate
25893-696: The team averaged only 1,500 fans and lost $ 750,000 in their first season and folded the following spring. Shortly thereafter, with Chicago having pulled out of New Brunswick in favour of affiliating with the Springfield Indians on their own, the Leafs relocated the New Brunswick Hawks to St. Catharines , Ontario to establish the St. Catharines Saints as their farm team. The team played in St. Catharines until 1986, and after stops in Newmarket, Ontario as
26082-671: The team capped season tickets at 17,000 for the 2014 season. Toronto FC's recognized supporters' groups are the Red Patch Boys , U-Sector , Kings in the North, Tribal Rhythm Nation and Original 109. On August 23, 2018, Toronto FC permanently terminated Inebriatti's supporter status for a fire they started at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa during their match-up with Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship earlier that year on July 18. Bitchy
26271-484: The team in March 1989 to David Braley for $ 2. Ruby Richman, the former coach of Canada men's national basketball team , working with Ballard pursued a number of existing National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) teams to relocate to Toronto to play at MLG in the 1970s. Richman had a tentative agreement to purchase both the Miami Floridians and Pittsburgh Condors of
26460-514: The team struggled to find consistency and form, culminating in a season of disappointing results that saw Toronto FC languishing near the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Injuries marred the team, with new signings Diomande, Alonso Coello , and Raoul Petretta notably requiring longer-term recoveries. The persistent underperformance led to the dismissal of Bob Bradley in June 2023, after managing only one win in eleven games,
26649-546: The team the Toronto Rock . MLSE held negotiations with the Arena Football League in 1998 on acquiring a US$ 4–7 million expansion franchise for the following season to coincide with the opening of the ACC. The company also submitted an application for a Women's National Basketball Association franchise, but was rejected by the league due to concerns about their readiness. With MLG aging, MLGL began planning for
26838-414: The team to Philadelphia . After Bickell contacted Smythe to inform him of the sale, Smythe persuaded Querrie that civic pride was more important than money and put together a syndicate that bought the St. Pats. Smythe himself invested $ 10,000 of his own money and his group contributed $ 75,000 up front and a further $ 75,000 due 30 days later, with Bickell retaining his $ 40,000 share in the team. The deal
27027-431: The team to his list of franchises, but concluded that the cost and effort that would be required to make the team profitable was not worth the minimal financial upside. In 2013, it was reported that the company was again considering purchasing the team and having them play at a renovated BMO Field, with the asking price reportedly $ 20 million, but later coming down to $ 10 million. A vote by MLSE's board on purchasing
27216-453: The team was called in December 2013, but they were unable to come to an agreement on the issue. On May 20, 2015 it was announced that two of the three ownership partners of MLSE, Bell Canada and Tanenbaum's Kilmer Group, had acquired ownership of the Argos, with the deal to close at the end of the year, and would move the team to BMO Field for the 2016 season. It has been speculated that Rogers
27405-451: The team was credited for starting "MLS 2.0" for their embrace of supporters' culture. Lack of on-field success caused frustration among the fanbase, spurring fan protests against ownership. In response, MLSE acknowledged the lack of quality on the on-field product, lowering ticket prices in 2013 to 2007 levels. Following a resurgence of interest in the team due to the major signings of designated players Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley ,
27594-519: The team won the most games in its history, it failed to reach the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. After completing only 11 months of his four-year contract with TFC, Defoe joined Premier League club Sunderland on January 16, 2015. On the same day, Toronto received American Jozy Altidore from Sunderland to complete the other half of the player swap. Three days later, the team signed Italian international Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus on an annual salary of $ 7 million. Michael Bradley
27783-421: The team wore white secondary uniforms, whereas in 2014, the secondary uniforms were changed to onyx. As with all MLS teams, the uniforms are produced by Adidas . In 2013 and 2014, a shadow-print maple leaf was featured on Toronto FC's primary jerseys. Since the team's formation in 2007, it has been sponsored by the Bank of Montreal (BMO). The sponsorship was worth $ 1–1.5 million per season, but in 2010,
27972-527: The team's first goal in the 24th minute of a 3–1 home win over the Chicago Fire . Though TFC slipped to the bottom of the MLS standings with a record of 6–17–7 , the team built a foundation as the first Canadian team in MLS. In the club's second season in 2008 , Toronto hosted the 2008 MLS All-Star Game . The club finished last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 9–13–8, but the enthusiastic fan base continued to fill BMO Field to capacity. To determine
28161-634: The team's hosting of the NBA All-Star Game in February 2016. Originally known as the Biosteel Centre, in March 2019, the Raptors reached an agreement with OVO on a naming rights deal to brand the facility as the OVO Athletic Centre . In February 2015, MLSE confirmed that they were planning on launching a professional boxing series, featuring 3-4 major fights a year co-promoted with Groupe Yvon Michel . Originally planned to start with
28350-581: The team, but the team's lease ultimately prevented a relocation. In 1976 MLGL attempted to buy the Atlanta Hawks . In 1979 a Toronto group which included Ballard again pushed for an expansion franchise, but lost out to the Dallas Mavericks . A Toronto group, which included Bill Ballard , son of Harold, and Basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain submitted an application and US$ 100,000 deposit for an NBA expansion franchise for MLG in 1986, but of
28539-427: The team, calling it a "personal family decision". He left as the team's longest-tenured and best-record coach. Chris Armas , the former New York Red Bulls coach, was appointed to the role on January 13, 2021. During the 2021 season, Toronto FC played some of their home games in Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida , also home to Orlando City SC . After a poor run in the early season, which reached its nadir with
28728-460: The team. The club secured a 0–0 result away against FC Cincinnati in its first game of the season, with notable performances by Sean Johnson, who secured his 100th MLS shutout, and debutant Flores. Before the 2007 Major League Soccer season , construction was completed on a new stadium at Exhibition Place in Toronto at a cost of $ 62.5 million. On September 20, 2006, MLS's official website announced that BMO Financial Group had purchased
28917-417: The team. However, Smythe told Bickell that he was more interested in buying a stake in the team. Not long after, with the team in trouble financially due to majority owner Querrie having lost a lawsuit to former Toronto Blueshirts owner Eddie Livingstone over ownership of the franchise, Querrie put the St. Pats up for sale and agreed in principle to sell them to C. C. Pyle for $ 200,000, who planned to move
29106-559: The team.) Though Tom Anselmi briefly took over as President, he was replaced in June 2013 by high-profile executive Tim Leiweke, who had previously run Anschutz Entertainment Group . On August 21, 2014 Leiweke announced that he was stepping down, but would remain in his position until a successor was appointed. MLSE announced on October 29, 2015 that Michael Friisdahl had been hired as Leiweke's successor as President and CEO, and would officially assume his duties in December 2015. The financial success of Toronto FC led MLSE to undertake
29295-411: The threat of a Real Sports channel as a motivator for Rogers and Bell, owners of sports channels Sportsnet and TSN respectively, to purchase the company due to concerns about losing the rights to broadcast MLSE teams to the channel or having to pay huge fees for them. The acquisition of MLSE by Rogers and Bell in 2012, and associated agreements to divide the company's regional broadcast rights between
29484-401: The time were valued at $ 20 million. Due to restrictions against cross-ownership in the NHL, the company set up a trust to hold their stake, and the league instructed them to sell the shares within an "adequate amount of time." Shortly after the estate, which had limited income due to HEBL still owing Toronto-Dominion Bank $ 15.8 million on its loan to acquire Harold Jr's HEBL stock, missed
29673-549: The training ground, renaming it to the BMO Training Ground & Academy. With their drop to the division 3 USL League One for the 2019 season, Toronto FC II moved their home games to BMO Training Ground. On April 4, 2022, after the team left USL League One to join the newly formed MLS Next Pro , Toronto FC II announced that York Lions Stadium would serve as their new home stadium. Toronto FC Toronto Football Club (commonly known as Toronto FC or TFC )
29862-454: The two groups. MLGL put forward a proposal to the city to construct a new $ 300 million shared arena just to the north, on top of the rail tracks Union Station , with the already under construction Raptors arena being converted to a bus terminal. However, the proposal died when an agreement could not reached with the City of Toronto government on rent for the land. In November 1997 MLSE submitted
30051-623: The two, eliminated the need for the channel and its license expired after the three-year deadline for launch passed in 2013. In September 2009 the Maple Leafs and Marlies opened their new hockey practice facility, the MasterCard Centre (later renamed the Ford Performance Centre). The arena was a joint venture between MLSE, the City of Toronto and the Lakeshore Lions Club to replace the nearby Lakeshore Lions Arena , and
30240-513: The vacant general manager position had been filled by Tim Bezbatchenko . Under Bezbatchenko, Toronto FC made several high-profile moves during the 2013–14 off season. Among the transfers were MLS veterans Justin Morrow and Jackson ; Brasileiro star Gilberto , United States international Michael Bradley of A.S. Roma , and the return of Toronto FC leading goal scorer De Rosario. On January 10, 2014, Tottenham Hotspur announced they had agreed
30429-526: The void left by the recently departed Sebastian Giovinco and compatriot Víctor Vázquez in the creative midfield role. Pozuelo inherited the number ten shirt , which had previously been worn by the Italian. On June 26, 2019, Japanese forward Tsubasa Endoh scored the fastest goal in TFC history, only 29 seconds into the game against Atlanta United FC . After missing the playoffs the previous season, they qualified for
30618-413: The will and buyer and had not paid market value because there was no public bidding process for the shares. Several minority owners, including Harry Ornest , who held 3.5% of the company, and Jim Devellano also objected to MLGV's attempts to take the company private without an auction. Stavro and his partners in MLGV reached a settlement in 1996 to pay an additional $ 23.5 million plus interest to
30807-409: The worst loss in club history on July 3, Armas was fired and replaced by interim coach Javier Pérez . Toronto played their first game back at BMO Field on July 17, 2021, against Orlando City SC with 7,000 in attendance. It was the first sporting event in Ontario since COVID-19 restrictions were implemented. On August 9, Pérez was officially named the head coach for the remainder of the season, removing
30996-578: The year with promise, but much like 2010, they floundered after the World Cup break. On August 31, Nelsen was fired by Bezbatchenko a day after a 0–3 defeat to the New England Revolution at BMO field, where Nelsen criticized Bezbatchenko in his post-match press conference for putting the players under needless pressure in the media. The head coaching position was filled by former American international and Chivas USA assistant, Greg Vanney . Although
31185-562: The years, which have served as developmental farm teams for the Maple Leafs. A group backed by Smythe and Frank Selke of the Montreal Canadiens was awarded an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise for Rochester, New York in July 1956, after a local group could not come up with the US$ 150,000 in capital required by the league. The Leafs and Canadiens would each own 27.5% of the team, with
31374-714: Was a public company . Following the death of majority owner Harold Ballard in 1990, Steve Stavro led a controversial bid to buy the company and take it private . In 2012, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) sold their 79.53% share of the company for CA$ 1.32 billion to a joint venture between Rogers Communications and BCE Inc. , two of Canada's largest media companies, giving the company an equity value of CA$ 1.66 billion and an enterprise value of CA$ 2 billion. In 2024, Rogers announced that it had reached an agreement to purchase BCE's 37.5% stake in MLSE for CA$ 4.7 billion, in
31563-433: Was also given the name the Toronto Maple Leafs . A team named the Toronto Maple Leafs had competed in the first season of the ILL at the Arena Gardens, but was renamed the Tecumsehs with the arrival of Smythe's team. Both teams played at MLG. Smythe pulled out following the season due to financial losses, and the league did not play the following year. The company has owned numerous minor league hockey teams over
31752-399: Was also the venue for a friendly against Liverpool of the English Premier League in July of that year and their only MLS home match in Toronto away from BMO Field, the 2013 home opener against Sporting Kansas City on March 9, 2013, with a then-record Toronto FC home MLS attendance of 25,991. Expansion to the north end that cost $ 2 million, added 1,249 seats and was completed for
31941-476: Was announced that Keith Pelley had been hired as president and CEO of MLSE, effective 2 April 2024. In August 2022 it was announced that Leafs Nation Network , the rebranded Leafs TV speciality channel devoted to the Maple Leafs and Marlies, would cease operations on September 1. The channel had been valued at $ 19 million on behalf of the CRTC in 2012. Although Conn Smythe was the face of MLGL from its founding in 1931, he did not acquire majority ownership of
32130-418: Was announced that MLSE would expand the training grounds at a cost of $ 2 million to house a temporary practice facility for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League , which would rent the facility from MLSE and practice on a nearby city owned field. The team moved in that September, but later moved their practice facility to Lamport Stadium in 2018. In 2018, BMO acquired the naming rights to
32319-424: Was based on two reasons. Firstly, over 40 percent of the online vote supported the simple Toronto FC name during the consultation; secondly, MLSE hoped that the fairly generic name would help the new club earn a more organic nickname from the Toronto fans rather than having one imposed upon the team. The team has been called "TFC" and "the Reds" by the media, the team, and the fans . The "FC" ("Football Club") in
32508-429: Was built at a cost of $ 44 million, after cost overruns drove up the cost from $ 33.65 million. The Lions Club contributed $ 40 million to the project, with the city providing a $ 35.5 million loan guarantee. The Toronto District School Board leased the land for the arena to the Lakeshore Lions for a 50-year term. MLSE spent a further $ 5 million on training and medical facilities, and pays $ 600,000 annually to rent
32697-400: Was creating MLS Next as a replacement elite youth player development development platform, which the Toronto FC Academy would participate in. In November 2014 MLSE announced the establishment of Toronto FC II , their own minor league professional soccer team playing in the United Soccer League (now known as the USL Championship ) and serving as a reserve team for TFC and a bridge between
32886-525: Was dubbed by fans and media as the " Miracle in Montreal ". Toronto FC subsequently participated in the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League , but lost 1–0 on aggregate to the Puerto Rico Islanders in the preliminary round of the tournament. After failing to qualify on the final day of the 2009 campaign, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment said anything short of a playoff spot in 2010 would be unacceptable. With that directive, former director of soccer Mo Johnston hired Preki and made wholesale changes to
33075-433: Was expected to substantially increase, and a $ 50 million lawsuit from Bill Ballard, who claimed that Stavro and others devalued MLGL and withheld information relevant to the value of the company prior to the sale of his stock. Ontario's Office of the Public Trustee, which was charged with representing the charities named by Harold's will as beneficiaries, argued that Stavro had a conflict of interest as both executor of
33264-413: Was finalized on Valentine's Day, and the new owners quickly renamed the team the Toronto Maple Leafs , after the national symbol of Canada. Smythe attributed his choice of a maple Leaf for the logo to his experiences as a Canadian Army officer and prisoner of war during World War I . Later that year, Smythe bought the junior hockey Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association to serve as
33453-466: Was granted in June 2010. MLSE planned to broadcast its teams' games on the channel, along the lines of team-owned regional sports networks in the United States such as YES Network and the New England Sports Network , with the tentative name "Real Sports" (in keeping with the branding of MLSE's sports bar and apparel store). It was never revealed whether the channel would have replaced, or supplemented, MLSE's existing digital channels. Peddie credited
33642-483: Was named as director of soccer. Winter was selected to bring the Ajax culture, possession and 4–3–3 system to Toronto FC. Management made wholesale changes to the roster before and during the 2011 season, trading numerous players and eventually their captain and Toronto native De Rosario. Toronto FC used its remaining two designated player slots on two notable European players, signing Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans to 2.5-year contracts. The team went on to set
33831-408: Was named team captain in 2015, following the retirement of Steven Caldwell , and would become the longest-serving captain of the club. On September 26, 2015, Giovinco scored and assisted in a 3–2 win over Chicago, putting him on 35 points for the season, breaking Chris Wondolowski 's league record. Giovinco's totals of 22 goals and 16 assists, for 38 total points, made him the first TFC player to win
34020-402: Was not enough as the club was eliminated from playoff contention with three games left in the season. Off-field issues with season-seat holders over the 2011 season ticket package added to the fans' frustrations, forcing MLSE to hold a series of town hall meetings . Toronto FC played Honduran side C.D. Motagua in the preliminary round of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League . TFC won 1–0 in
34209-425: Was not interested in investing in the team since Bell has exclusive rights to broadcast all CFL games. MLSE eventually completed its purchase the Argos in January 2018. According to the National Post , the sale, which came less than a month after the team won the 2017 Grey Cup , "is expected to help the Argos, given MLSE's financial scale and promotional, ticketing and operational advantages." Additionally, it
34398-415: Was often criticized for his inability to end the company's long championship drought. The Leafs haven't won a championship since 1967, and at the time the only other major championship won under MLSE ownership was the 74th Grey Cup in 1986 by the Tiger-Cats. Toronto FC subsequently won in 2017, as did the Raptors in 2019. (The Argonauts' 2017 Grey Cup win came shortly before MLSE announced its purchase of
34587-402: Was one of at least four bidding for a Toronto MLB team, including competing groups led by Labatt Brewing Company , Robert Hunter, the former President of the International League Maple Leafs, and Canadian Baseball Co, led by Sydney Cooper. After negotiating with the owners of the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics in their attempt to acquire
34776-401: Was opened five months and two weeks later, on November 12, 1931, at a cost of $ 1.5 million ($ 28.7 million in 2023 dollars). The Marlboros also moved to the new arena. Bickell was named the first president of MLG. To help fill dates at the new arena, Smythe acquired an expansion franchise in the professional International Lacrosse League on behalf of MLGL for the 1932 season, which
34965-430: Was paid off in 1960. In November 1961, Smythe sold 45,000 of his 50,000 shares to a three-person partnership formed by his son Stafford Smythe , Harold Ballard , and John Bassett (owner of the Toronto Telegram and part-owner of the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts) for $ 2.3 million. When combined with their own holdings, this gave the Stafford-Ballard-Bassett partnership 87,000 shares, representing 60% of
35154-412: Was purchased from The T. Eaton Co. Ltd. for $ 350,000, a price said to be $ 150,000 below market value. A new 12,473 seat (14,550 including standing room) arena, Maple Leaf Gardens (MLG), was designed by the architectural firm of Ross and Macdonald . To finance construction, Smythe got backing from Sun Life for half of the expected $ 1 million cost. He then formed Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (MLGL) as
35343-418: Was reported that MLSE were in talks to buy the Football League Championship team. However, the company later denied that it planned to purchase the club. In 2015 reports emerged that MLSE was investigating taking over the bankrupt Parma F.C. of Italy's Serie A . Peddie retired as President and CEO of MLSE at the end of 2011 after 14 years on the job, having tripled the value of the company. However, he
35532-414: Was the largest single shareholder in MLGL, and he and Ballard controlled almost half the company's stock between them. They were thus able to regain control of the board in 1970, and Stafford was once again appointed president. Facing an untenable situation, Bassett sold the 196,200 MLGL shares he controlled to Stafford and Ballard in September 1971 for $ 5.4 million, which he used to buy out his partners in
35721-425: Was to cost $ 62.9 million total, and purchased the naming rights to the stadium for $ 10 million for 20 years, which they subsequently resold to the Bank of Montreal for $ 27 million over the first 10 years. MLSE also agreed to cover any construction cost overruns. The governments of Canada, Ontario and Toronto contributed $ 27 million, $ 8 million and $ 9.8 million respectively, with the City of Toronto also providing
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