‘An extremely difficult day’: MLSE eliminating 10% of workforce

What’s going on at MLSE?

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) is cutting 80 jobs, or approximately 10 per cent of its workforce, as part of a company-wide restructuring.

CEO Keith Pelley called it “an extremely difficult day” — with a spokesperson telling The Canadian Press that the move follows an “extensive review of the company’s operations in recent months.”

MLSE, which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and other major Toronto sports teams, reportedly employs nearly 1,000 full-time workers.

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Next steps for MLSE employees

If you’re fired or let go at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, understanding your legal rights is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Canada are entitled to severance pay. The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru delves into severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
• Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
• Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.

Major employers slashing staff

The workforce reduction at MLSE comes amid a flurry of job cuts in 2025.

Other big names, including Disney, Town of Cochrane, Autodesk, Mohawk College, JPMorgan, Chevron, Vale, Meta, Canada Post, Workday, ADM, Amazon, Shopify, Stripe, BP, Microsoft, Hudson’s Bay, and Wayfair, have pulled out the axe as they navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• ‘We lost our agility’: Estée Lauder planning to slash up to 7,000 jobs
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Contact us

If you’re fired or let go at MLSE for any reason, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.