In a meeting with Toronto FC season-ticket holders ahead of the team’s Saturday home opener, MLSE boss Tim Leiweke became the city’s first high-profile businessman to pick a public fight with Mayor Rob Ford.
The man in control of the Leafs, Raptors and TFC came to town from Los Angeles nearly a year ago with a reputation for two things — conciliation and getting things built. One of his favourite personal rules is that he leave no enemy behind him.
It’s a measure of his frustration with Ford’s attempt to make the expansion of BMO Field a political issue that Leiweke chose this venue to air his grievances.
Leiweke first talked about the surprisingly decent weather, before segueing to more prosaic matters.
“The other good news I had today is that the mayor’s going to vote against our (stadium expansion) plan, which probably means we win 42-
2. This presumes the dissenting votes in council will be Rob and Doug Ford. It played for big laughs in the room.
This is presumably in reaction to an article published in Saturday’s Toronto Sun, in which Rob Ford rubbished the city executive committee’s approval of a plan to lend $10 million toward the $120 million expansion of BMO Field.
The committee voted 11-1 in favour. Ford was the sole ‘Nay’.
“It was 11-1, and the two amendments they added on were approved 12-0. And then 11-1 on the big vote,” Leiweke said, shaking his head in wonderment. “I’m still trying to figure that one out. Guess who the one vote was who said ‘No’, who voted ‘Yes’ twice for the amendments?”
MLSE is also seeking $10 million each from the province and the federal government. That money would be funneled through the city.
Ford told the Sun that he will not agree to funnel any money to the city-owned stadium.
“Of course, I love (Toronto FC),” Ford told the Sun’s Joe Warmington. “But it’s the principle.
“It should be paid for by the private sector,” the mayor continued. “It would be nice if he wanted to expand (Ford-owned) Deco Labels and have the taxpayers help us out, but it doesn’t work like that.”
In recent weeks, Ford has appeared to be of two minds about the plan, alternately calling expansion of the city-owned facility a “great” idea as a new home for his sports crush, the Argos, and also saying that it can’t include public funds.
Leiweke portrayed a very different sort of calculation.
“This is the guy (Ford) I went in and met with. He was mad at us that we didn’t go through him at first. He wanted this to be his plan. We took him through it and he said, ‘I’m for this. I want this. I’ll support you.’ (small pause) I’m extremely happy he’s not supporting us.”
Reached by phone, Councillor Doug Ford would only say that he supports his brother’s position.
“Not everyone is a sports fan, and they shouldn’t have to pay for this.”
Leiweke and the Fords have a sizable difference of opinion on what MLSE is asking the city for.
For Ford, a private company is asking for a $10 million handout.
MLSE has already announced that it plans to repay the entire amount over 20 years, including interest.
“They actually do better with this investment than they do with their pension fund,” Leiweke said.
According to Leiweke, if the renovation doesn’t happen, the arena is still facing a $30 million bill for basic repairs in the near future. By contract, that amount would be split between MLSE and the city.
So it’s either a $10 million loan to make something better, or a $15 million bill to keep something standing.
“The thing that riles me the most is when someone accuses us of a gravy train. It’s exactly the opposite,” Leiweke said, his consonants sharpening. “This is simple, smart math. And great leadership on behalf of the city manager to find a solution where the private sector steps up and takes all the risk. I’m not embarrassed by this deal. I will not let it get in the middle of a political race.”
Too late. He’s there now.
