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.