Confirmed: Anselmi Out

[cincy]

Just heard Anselmi stepped down

[Richard]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/f2d82c1258a3a7854f51d782791756ef/tumblr_memmhoACbx1rrtzhso1_250.gif


Confirmed LINK (http://theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/tom-anselmi-resigns-from-mlse/article14161589/)

[Suds]

Would not be surprised if true.

[Brooker]

He always reminded me of Huey Lewis.....

Hey, how is Earl still employed? Surely he's next?

[Yohan]

No, Cochrane is fired. Only one still out there is Paul Beirne

[OgtheDim]

And the MSM is falling all over itself to say he's such a nice guy.......


Incompetent. Out of his depth.

[cincy]

Ya it's all over twitter, I can't edit the title

[Cashcleaner]

Cincy, man! You beat me to it! And yep, Anselmi is out. Was confirm on City News, though no presser has been announced.

I don't know the man personally, nor do I know of his accomplishments outside TFC. At the end of the day he was well out of his depth when it came to operating a professional soccer club.

[Canary10]

Ding dong, the witch is dead.

[Couchy81]

The end of a shitty fucking era.

[bones]

Cockring and Anslimy both gone in 1 week, truly a time to raise a glass. Now where is that thread about will I renew and why...

[Offside goal]

HKN-BKN-SOC-MLSE-Anselmi-Resigns@
INDEX: Sports@
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chief operating officer Tom
Anselmi resigns@
TORONTO - Tom Anselmi is stepping down as chief operating officer
of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
The company, which owns the Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC and
Marlies, announced his resignation Friday in a news release.
Anselmi first joined the organization in December 1996 and was
appointed COO in 2004.
His resignation is the latest in a series of major changes at
MLSE since new president and CEO Tim Leiweke took over June 30.
The company parted ways with Raptors boss Bryan Colangelo earlier
this summer and Toronto FC president and general manager Kevin Payne
was fired this week.
Anselmi's last day with the company will be Sept. 13.
(The Canadian Press)

[Damien]

YYYAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drum:

[flatpicker]

“I am from this community, and I’m a huge fan of our teams, so being part of the growth of this organization into one that is admired in the industry has been a real privilege,” Anselmi said in a release. “I’m very proud of our people and all that we’ve been able to accomplish."

So, I guess he's not talking about sports?

[Leedsoronto]

Waking wanted him out a year ago
http://www.wakingthered.com/2012/5/28/3034766/dont-fire-the-coach-fire-tom-anselmi-instead

[tiberius]

I will give Lieweke credit - He identified Anselmi and Cochrane as weak links, pretty quick. It's probably pretty lonely for Paul Beirne right now. Oh well - supply and demand...

[OgtheDim]

“I am from this community, and I’m a huge fan of our teams, so being part of the growth of this organization into one that is admired in the industry has been a real privilege,” Anselmi said in a release. “I’m very proud of our people and all that we’ve been able to accomplish."

So, I guess he's not talking about sports?

He was only here to build Condos. Everything else that got handed to him was an afterthought as long as he built that stuff outside of the ACC.

[Offside goal]

“I am from this community, and I’m a huge fan of our teams, so being part of the growth of this organization into one that is admired in the industry has been a real privilege,” Anselmi said in a release. “I’m very proud of our people and all that we’ve been able to accomplish."

So, I guess he's not talking about sports?

Yeah, he was involved with the MLSE condo development right?! Must be what he's referring to....

[flatpicker]

He was only here to build Condos. Everything else that got handed to him was an afterthought as long as he built that stuff outside of the ACC.

Well, he definitely succeeded in that department. I'm sure he'll have no problem getting a new job with some sort of property development company. Just so long as he stays away from the sports industry.

[TFC Cityboy]

good riddance and if we played a small role, all the better

[ginkster88]

@leeds... Pretty sure everybody wanted him gone 6 years ago.

[Oblio2]

About time....

[Jack]

He wasn't the man to run a sports organization. Other than that, I guess he did very well for MLSE in terms of the real estate side of things. I'm glad he's not running the sporting show anymore and I wish him the best in whatever he does.

[tiberius]

Waking wanted him out a year ago
http://www.wakingthered.com/2012/5/28/3034766/dont-fire-the-coach-fire-tom-anselmi-instead

Good article - as I recall the ABC (Anselmi, Beirne, Cochrane) campaign goes as far back as 2010... I can't tell for sure, as the search function on this board completely baffles me....:o

[Oldtimer]

I will give Lieweke credit - He identified Anselmi and Cochrane as weak links, pretty quick. It's probably pretty lonely for Paul Beirne right now. Oh well - supply and demand...

If I were Paul, I would make sure that I wasn't leaving any personal items in my office. After all, there is quite a supply of people with his skill set, and the demand for his services might not always be there.

[Initial B]

Well, that's getting to be a pretty complete housecleaning. I wonder who else they will be letting go. Perhaps Beirne is too low on the totem pole to merit a media release about his firing?

[prizby]

as much as he screwed up, lets not forget he is the reason why there is TFC; without him, we don't have a team

[Chevy]

“I am from this community, and I’m a huge fan of our teams, so being part of the growth of this organization into one that is admired in the industry has been a real privilege,” Anselmi said in a release. “I’m very proud of our people and all that we’ve been able to accomplish."

So, I guess he's not talking about sports?


He's talking about sports, just not about winning.

[Jack]

as much as he screwed up, lets not forget he is the reason why there is TFC; without him, we don't have a team
This is true. I don't really hold any animosity toward Tom. He just didn't seem to be very adept at running a sporting operation, though he did a good job of building the company. I'm happy he's moving all the way away from touching any of the teams, though.

[ag futbol]

You could throw that tag on probably a half dozen people or more, including all the sr. people at MLSE, a few analysts who uncovered the potential of soccer in this market and drew it to the attention of the sr. people, MLS staff, David Miller at city hall.... the list goes on.

Hopefully Anselmi is never seen again.

[TOBOR !]

Gonna put this on as soon as I get home.

http://forums.redpatchboys.ca/attachment.php?attachmentid=3021&d=1340125989

[Dave67]

I will give Lieweke credit - He identified Anselmi and Cochrane as weak links, pretty quick. It's probably pretty lonely for Paul Beirne right now. Oh well - supply and demand...

He's got to go. Paul goes and I will look at re-entering the season ticket market on faith, just like back in year one.

[Marc"2L"]

I'm sure he could be reassigned to something not TFC related.

I'm sure there's some demand in the other organizations that he could supply expertise to.

[Dave67]

^ yes. As far as TFC goes the 'Supply and Demand' line might as well be tattooed on PB's forehead. Perhaps he's a better fit with the Leafs. The 'Supply and Demand' routine is pretty much assumed over there.

[cmonyoureds]

Dear Tim,

This makes up for everything else you have done/said that I was critical of.

Thanks,

[TOBOR !]

nancymiranda ; I feel your pain. Don't let it get you down :)

[Sullivan]

Perhaps Beirne is too low on the totem pole to merit a media release about his firing?

Confirmed that he's still employed.
Hear his work space is cleaner/leaner.

[Sullivan]

From the hockey crowd, "he was given a choice".

[Jack]

From the hockey crowd, "he was given a choice".
Quit or be fired? g:D

[tfcleeds]

This week's "Night of the Long Knives" has sure been interesting...

[GlenM]

Tom Anselmi resigns

GlenM

[Cashcleaner]

as much as he screwed up, lets not forget he is the reason why there is TFC; without him, we don't have a team

You see, I don't really follow this line of reasoning, and here's why:

Firstly, MLSE didn't purchase a Major League Soccer franchise to make you and I happy. They saw the potential profits to me made, made a quick calculation of costs, risks, and gains; and simply made a business decision that just happened to have worked out in our favour. I suppose we can thank them for taking a risk, but it wouldn't be all that different than thanking McDonalds for coming out with the Double Big Mac.

Most importantly, however, is that we should understand that if MLSE never did buy a franchise and build this team, there's no reason why any other organization wouldn't have. If not MLSE, perhaps another company like Bell or Rogers would have eventually approached MLS. And who knows? Maybe if someone else was calling the shots since Day 1, we'd be in a much better position as a team. It's all speculative, of course, but I know you get my meaning.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Toronto FC exists and I completely acknowledge MLSE are responsible for the club we have. But I already give them thanks by spending so much a year on my tickets and merchandise.

[Fishnicker]

Anyone got that pic of him playing guitar at the newly finished BMO looking like a haggard Jimmy Caan? It might have been 'shopped by someone here...

[ensco]

The kneecapping of Tanenbaum is complete.

[trane]

ABOUT FUCKING TIME-Some fucking good news.

[Davenport]

Great !

[TFC07]

Just need Paul B to be fired to complete house cleaning.

[Corpand]

"Tom.....yeeeaaaaa....listen I'm going to have to ask you to move your desk as far away from MLSE grounds as possible, so if you could just start backing up and not stop until your ass gets hit by the door on the way out, that would be great".

Decent businessman, useless when it comes to the other matters of sport. We have a team due to him so credit where its due. But I just can't wipe the smirk off my face at the moment. This has been a looong time coming.

[ensco]

This really has nothing to do with Leiweke per se, in my opinion. Obviously the board just met, so they did all their HR laundry at once. But we have known about this for 8 months. Remember? "We're hitting the reset button"

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/maple-leaf-sports-and-entertainment-we-are-hitting-the-reset-button/article7265097/

[Redcoe15]

Ding dong, the dork is dead.

Fixed!

[nfitz]

If I were Paul, I would make sure that I wasn't leaving any personal items in my office. After all, there is quite a supply of people with his skill set, and the demand for his services might not always be there.I don't get this anti-Paul bent. He didn't pick the manager, coaches, players, etc. He fought for the grass, academy, etc. He's done well to bring in sponsorship $. He's even kept ticket sales and season ticket sales respectable looking after 7 years of disastrous results. He's always seemed decent and fair to deal with to me. We might not like his taste in beer, but surely his corporate objective to maximize $ was met.

Am I missing something, or is this just spite against anyone who was there since the beginning?

[__wowza]

best. Birthday. Present. Ever.

[BuSaPuNk]

best. Birthday. Present. Ever.

Happy Birthday Wowza!!!!

[Pigfynn]

I don't get this anti-Paul bent. He didn't pick the manager, coaches, players, etc. He fought for the grass, academy, etc. He's done well to bring in sponsorship $. He's even kept ticket sales and season ticket sales respectable looking after 7 years of disastrous results. He's always seemed decent and fair to deal with to me. We might not like his taste in beer, but surely his corporate objective to maximize $ was met.

Am I missing something, or is this just spite against anyone who was there since the beginning?

Nah, when a club has done nothing but fail since day one and some how some of the day one staff are still there by some miracle...there must come a day like today. Beirne has to go too I think anyways. Time to wash the stench of failure away. It's like the end of the move Casino, everybody dies. They had their fun, lost and gotta go.

[sidvan]

I don't get this anti-Paul bent. He didn't pick the manager, coaches, players, etc. He fought for the grass, academy, etc. He's done well to bring in sponsorship $. He's even kept ticket sales and season ticket sales respectable looking after 7 years of disastrous results. He's always seemed decent and fair to deal with to me. We might not like his taste in beer, but surely his corporate objective to maximize $ was met.

Am I missing something, or is this just spite against anyone who was there since the beginning?

Pretty sure i remember TL saying Paul was now on "special projects" and not part of the regular team at TFC. Anyone else from the meet and greet last week can confirm if i heard that correctly?

[Dave67]

I don't get this anti-Paul bent. He didn't pick the manager, coaches, players, etc. He fought for the grass, academy, etc. He's done well to bring in sponsorship $. He's even kept ticket sales and season ticket sales respectable looking after 7 years of disastrous results. He's always seemed decent and fair to deal with to me. We might not like his taste in beer, but surely his corporate objective to maximize $ was met.

Am I missing something, or is this just spite against anyone who was there since the beginning?

Yes, you are missing something. I'm going off of memory, so here's a general idea of what happened. I could be remembering things incorrectly, but the general gist of it is right.

Paul used to post here as MLSINTORONTO. For a while he even had access to the members only sections, or at least, there were discussions of giving it to him. There was a time when the supporters and fans in general were telling Paul B on a more than regular basis that the ticket prices were spiraling out of control. For instance, my lower 110 tickets had more or less doubled in 5 years. The percentage increases coupled with extra home games in the schedule had moved a pair of lower 110 tickets to about $1,400 (roughly) per year, roughly a double up over year one. A crazy price for tickets in that area.

Anyway, after many a passioned plea and probably a few unreasonable posts against the ticket prices Paul B shot back with a 'Supply and Demand' line that stank of arrogance and of a man who did not really understand that the success of the club to that point was based entirely on the backs of supporters and fans willing to post money for tickets because of a dream to see a team in Toronto. I really think at that time Paul B and the front office of TFC in general really thought they were sitting on a valid 20,000 or so waiting list and that they could do whatever they want.

Anyway, I'll never forgive him for it. If anyone has the actual posts and the chain of events I'd love to see them again. Check my memory and see if I still remember things right.

[Yohan]

I don't get this anti-Paul bent. He didn't pick the manager, coaches, players, etc. He fought for the grass, academy, etc. He's done well to bring in sponsorship $. He's even kept ticket sales and season ticket sales respectable looking after 7 years of disastrous results. He's always seemed decent and fair to deal with to me. We might not like his taste in beer, but surely his corporate objective to maximize $ was met.

Am I missing something, or is this just spite against anyone who was there since the beginning?
clearly you don't remember the days of Marlies ransom packs. ugh

[BuSaPuNk]

^ Yep that supply and demand comment cost him big time when it came to respect.

And if anyone thinks that people won't walk away from this team goes in to a further tailspin look at the "waiting list".

Went from 20,000+ to none. All in the span of one year. The club has nothing to hold people to keep them interested if it continues.

[tfcleeds]

Pretty sure i remember TL saying Paul was now on "special projects" and not part of the regular team at TFC. Anyone else from the meet and greet last week can confirm if i heard that correctly?

You are indeed correct, and reading between the lines, it sounded like his position wasn't secure. Not that I'm actively rooting for him to be part of the purge - as far as I'm concerned, he's small potatoes in the ultimate scheme of things. I think most people here remember the infamous "supply and demand" quote and never forgave him for that.

[69Chevy396]

clearly you don't remember the days of Marlies ransom packs. ugh
A friend of mine was cajoled into that arrangement as part of the deal to move him into the gold waiting list, or whatever stupid name it was assigned. He tried giving the seats away, even a few charitable organizations turned him down because of the on ice violence at those games (you get very close to the blood and guts action in ricoh). Ultimately, like so many others, he never bothered when season tickets became availabe inthe next season.

[BuSaPuNk]

^ yeah I did the same thing and then couldn't afford the seasons the next season. Great ransom that was.

[Shakes McQueen]

Tom couldn't build winning organizations. Aside from that ugly reality, I hold no animosity towards him. I think he WANTED to build those kinds of organizations, and I think he tried to.

He just couldn't. And so his yearly empty promises became grating at first, and then infuriating.

- Scott

[NolbertoS]

Wow, did the RPB tell Lieweke to burn the entire TFC house down?? Its like we're literally starting from Year 0 like an expansion team now. Hope TFC turns it around now. Impact and the Whitecaps have a big head start in getting proper management right.

[Marc"2L"]

....pretty much always been an expansion team..

[Shakes McQueen]

Cathal Kelly has been reading this thread, and according to his Twitter, is very disappointed in all of you.

Wear it like a badge of honour, folks.

- Scott

[BuSaPuNk]

Whatever.

He should just go back to writing for the Arts page or whatever he was doing before complaining about everything and sucking at the MLSE tit.

[Jack]

Cathal Kelly has been reading this thread, and according to his Twitter, is very disappointed in all of you.

Wear it like a badge of honour, folks.

- Scott

Cathal who?

I guess there are still some haters out there, so we must be doing something right, despite having been exposed by the super-sleuths as being on the take from MLSE. I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY PAYCHEQUE AND MY FREE KIA, ASSHOLES!

[nfitz]

Yes, you are missing something. I'm going off of memory, so here's a general idea of what happened. I could be remembering things incorrectly, but the general gist of it is right.

Paul used to post here as MLSINTORONTO. For a while he even had access to the members only sections, or at least, there were discussions of giving it to him. There was a time when the supporters and fans in general were telling Paul B on a more than regular basis that the ticket prices were spiraling out of control. For instance, my lower 110 tickets had more or less doubled in 5 years. The percentage increases coupled with extra home games in the schedule had moved a pair of lower 110 tickets to about $1,400 (roughly) per year, roughly a double up over year one. A crazy price for tickets in that area.

Anyway, after many a passioned plea and probably a few unreasonable posts against the ticket prices Paul B shot back with a 'Supply and Demand' line that stank of arrogance and of a man who did not really understand that the success of the club to that point was based entirely on the backs of supporters and fans willing to post money for tickets because of a dream to see a team in Toronto. I really think at that time Paul B and the front office of TFC in general really thought they were sitting on a valid 20,000 or so waiting list and that they could do whatever they want.

Anyway, I'll never forgive him for it. If anyone has the actual posts and the chain of events I'd love to see them again. Check my memory and see if I still remember things right.

Supply and demand seems real to me. His job was to maximize revenue. I don't get what appears to be a vindictive grudge based on what appears to be doing one's job.


clearly you don't remember the days of Marlies ransom packs. ughHell, I even had one once. And I complained bitterly. The same way I complain bitterly about Loblaws limited selection, poor staffing, and expensive prices ... and then go buy shares (which have done quite well!). It's a business. Surely one should separate one's personal biases compared to a good business decision. With 18,000 or so tickets sold for every game, they've hardly failed on that front, despite the abysmal team performance.

It's not like he was caught taking kickbacks from agents, or ran off with the SSH money.