TORONTO, Sept. 29 /CNW/ - Rogers Media today announced that Blue Jays
President and CEO, Paul Godfrey, has decided not to renew his Blue Jays
contract and will leave his position at the end of 2008.
Godfrey started with the Club in 2000 after the controlling stake of the
team was purchased by Rogers from Interbrew Breweries. During his tenure, the
franchise has improved on a number of fronts - increased in-stadium
attendance, broader TV reach, a renovated stadium and a more competitive team.
"When Rogers purchased the Blue Jays in 2000, Paul was the obvious
candidate to run the Club. He was instrumental in securing an MLB baseball
team for Toronto," stated Ted Rogers, President and CEO, Rogers Communications
Inc. (RCI). "Paul's name has been synonymous with sports in this city and we
thank Paul for his many contributions."
"Paul Godfrey has had a very successful run with the Blue Jays," said
Phil Lind, Vice Chairman, RCI. "The Club is on positive footing and poised for
a great future because of Paul's direction and leadership. And he continues to
provide sage advice and counsel regarding other sports leagues especially
football."
"The Blue Jays had one of the most exciting late season rallies," added
Tony Viner, President and CEO, Rogers Media. "Paul has provided inspirational
leadership to the team. He has eaten, slept and breathed the Blue Jays for
eight years."
A further announcement on the Blue Jays management will be made shortly.
About Rogers Media Inc.
Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc., (TSX: RCI;
NYSE: RCI), operates Rogers Broadcasting and Rogers Publishing. Rogers
Broadcasting has 52 AM and FM radio stations across Canada. Television
properties include 5 Citytv stations as well as the OMNI multicultural
television stations. Rogers Sportsnet, Canada's live event leader, offers
viewers four channels and Sportsnet HD and the Shopping Channel is a televised
and Internet shopping service. Rogers Publishing produces many well-known
consumer magazines such as Maclean's, Chatelaine, Flare, L'actualité and
Canadian Business, and is the leading publisher of a number of industry,
medical and financial publications. All media properties are integrated with
their own popular web sites. Rogers Media also owns The Toronto Blue Jays
Baseball Club and Rogers Centre, a year-round sports and entertainment
facility.
