151| Chris Shewflet | An Inside Peek into the World of Professional Sports Management

In today’s show, we interview Chris Shewfelt, Senior Director, Global Partnerships, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is a professional sport and commercial real estate company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

With assets that include franchises in the four major sports leagues in the USA and Canada (including Toronto FC and Toronto Raptors), MLSE is one of the largest sports and entertainment companies in the world.

Chris grew up in a small community on a farm, and his upbringing instilled in him an incredible drive and an “always-go” attitude. While this held him in good stead, Chris admits that he was frustrated with his inability to manage finances once he started working professionally.

In the next segment of the show, Chris shares how his persistence helped him land a job at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. 

Chris interned with MSLE for 4 months. But then 9/11 happened. 

It seemed that Chris would have to give up on his dream job. But, out of the blue, he received a call from MSLE requesting help with a small 10-minute promotion. Wanting to show that he was someone who always gave his 100%, no matter what, Chris went out of his way and took up this small gig. 

Impressed with his commitment, MSLE eventually hired him as an assistant in the corporate partnerships department.  

One of Chris’s first projects at MLSE was selling Toronto Raptor tickets. Back then, Toronto Raptors was not particularly popular, and Chris had to resort to innovative marketing techniques to make sales. 

This serves as a good segue to our next topic. Listeners will also learn how the entire MLSE team manages the pressures of working in a field that is subject to intense public scrutiny. Specifically, when the teams are not doing well on-field, how does MLSE deal with the commercial fall-out? Does it become difficult to manage disappointments and expectations when you have a rabid fan base?

Chris also shares some fond memories of working under former Presidents, Richard Peddie, Tim Leiweke, and Bill Manning in today’s show.

From launching Leafs TV and GOL TV to being acquired by Roger and Bell in 2012, Chris walks down the memory lane and shares some of the biggest and most strategic business moves that have made MLSE an entertainment powerhouse.

Other topics discussed in today’s show include the importance of being consistent in business, and developing a “one for all” organizational culture.

We hope you enjoy this show!

 

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