Tom Anselmi
| Tom Anselmi | |
|---|---|
| Chief Operating Officer of MLSE | |
| In office 2004 – September 6, 2013 | |
| President | |
| In office September 4, 2012 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Peddie |
| Succeeded by | Tim Leiweke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 Etobicoke, Ontario |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Residence | Toronto |
| Alma mater | Ryerson University and University of Saskatchewan |
Tom Anselmi (born c. 1956) is a Canadian sports executive who most recently served as the President and COO for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. He is trained in landscape architecture and engineering. Anselmi is an alumnus of Ryerson University and University of Saskatchewan.
Career
Early career
Anselmi started his sports career in 1987 and helped to develop the SkyDome in Toronto.
Anselmi served as Vice President, General Manager of Arena Operations at Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment in Vancouver.
MLSE
Anselmi had a 17 year career at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment; a corporation that owns Toronto FC, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Marlies.[1][2] Anselmi has been with the company since December 1, 1996.[1][3][4] Anselmi first position within the company was Vice-President and Project Director and was promoted to Executive Vice-President and COO in 2004.[5]
Anselmi was the early favourite to succeed the retiring Richard Peddie as President and CEO of MLSE.[6] Anselmi was named President after an eight-month search,[3] while keeping his post of COO, making him the top executive at MLSE overseeing all operations in his new position. However, Anselmi did not receive the title of CEO position that he sought [7] when he was promoted to President.[3]
Anselmi's tenure as President of MLSE ended on June 30, 2013, when Tim Leiweke was hired as President and CEO, though Anselmi still retained the title of COO. Anselmi kept his office as COO when Leiweke reshuffled the senior management team on July 24, 2013.[8]
Anselmi resigned from MLSE on September 6, 2013. His departure was suggested as a finishing touch to a Leiweke-led restructuring. Anselmi's position had been weakened since he was the top executive of Toronto F.C. which had never made the MLS playoffs. Former MLSE President and CEO Richard Peddie said when he let Anselmi manage TFC at its inception in order to groom Anselmi as his successor:I didn’t realize it would be so tough. Ironically, he made some of the same mistakes I made with Ferguson and Babcock. He hired rookies. He went with them too long. He was too patient. And I say in my new book, ‘Boy, he really got some learning there.’ TFC was and continues to be a business success. . . . Business side, wonderful job. On the pitch, lousy job.[9]Peddie further stated:
In the end, Tom lost out to one of the better sports and entertainment businesspeople in North America. That was tough on Tom, giving up that title [President of MLSE]. It would be tough on anyone to lose a major title like that.[9]Anselmi remarked on his exit:
There’s only space for one president. You get used to being a president, and that’s what you want to do. . . . Owners get to make the kinds of decisions they do because that comes with being an owner. Sometimes organizations need change, too. And this is maybe completing some of that. I’m totally fine with that.[9]
Reputation
Anselmi is "well noted" for his arena, real estate and broadcast projects since joining the company in 1996.[10] MLSE Chairman Larry Tanenbaum stated "Tom's proven strength in operations has made him a respected leader here at MLSE and across the sports and entertainment industry."[2] He was credited with having the Air Canada Centre completed on budget and on time. He was also known as a "down-to-earth operator who preferred blue jeans to suits and favoured snowmobiling over more rarefied pursuits".[9]
Personal life
Anselmi was born in Etobicoke, Ontario.[5] Anselmi was originally an engineer.[5] Anselmi studied landscape architecture at Ryerson University and engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.[5] Anselmi helped build the Rogers Centre and Rogers Arena.[5] In 2011, Anselmi received the Chief of Defence Staff commendation; the highest military honour a civilian can receive.[5]
Anselmi was a poor, second-generation Italian who grew up in the west end of Toronto. He is trained in landscape architecture and engineering. Anselmi is an alumnus of Ryerson University and University of Saskatchewan.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Tom Anselmi". Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Tom Anselmi replaces Peddie as MLSE president". CBC. Canadian Press. September 4, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 McGran, Kevin (September 4, 2012). "Tom Anselmi appointed new MLSE president". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Koreen, Tom (September 4, 2012). "MLSE appoints Tom Anselmi as new president". National Post. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Getting to know new MLSE president Tom Anselmi". National Post. September 4, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- ↑ Blair, Jeff (July 5, 2012). "Nash inflicts more than just flesh wound on Colangelo". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Cox, Damien (September 7, 2012). "Maple Leafs: New era of MLSE intrigue unfolding: Cox". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ↑
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Feschuck, Dave (September 6, 2013). "Tom Anselmi’s exit leaves Leiweke on MLSE hot seat: Feschuk". Toronto Star. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ↑ Hornby, Lance (September 4, 2012). "Anselmi named to replace Peddie as MLSE president". Toronto Sun. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
External links
| Preceded by |
Chief Operating Officer of MLSE 2004 – September 6, 2013 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Richard Peddie |
President of MLSE September 4, 2012 – June 30, 2013 |
Succeeded by Tim Leiweke |