TORONTO - After more than six years on the job, Michael Friisdahl has said his farewells as president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
Friday was the last official day in the office for Friisdahl, who starts Tuesday in his new job of executive chairman of Signature Aviation, a multinational aviation services company.
MLSE announced in mid-January that Friisdahl was leaving at the end of February. Chief financial officer Cynthia Devine was named interim president and CEO during the search for Friisdahl's successor.
Friisdahl, whose surname is pronounced FREEZE-dale, had big shoes to fill in following the hard-to-miss Tim Leiweke as MLSE boss in December 2015. And he has had to steer the sports and entertainment giant through unprecedented times during the pandemic.
"It's been quite a journey, I've got to tell you," Friisdahl said in an interview. "But it's certainly been a (career) highlight."
It's been a road that has seen Friisdahl stay true to his word in doing his job behind the scenes. Until the larger-than-life Leiweke, Friisdahl was content to let others take the spotlight.
Friisdahl has faced no shortage of challenges in running MLSE. During the pandemic, MLSE has had to relocate teams, keep staff/players safe and adapt to ever-changing schedules and conditions.
Under Friisdahl, the conglomerate showed its human side.
MLSE won kudos in the early days of the pandemic in 2020, turning Scotiabank Arena into a giant kitchen to prepare and donate hundreds of thousands of meals to front-line workers and community agencies via the "Bringing Toronto Back to its Feet“ program.
The venue was also turned into an enormous COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
And the MLSE Foundation, the organization's charitable arm, launched the "Change the Game" campaign dedicated to raising funds and awareness "to address systemic barriers preventing youth from reaching their potential."
Teri Dennis-Davies was hired as chief people and inclusion officer on Friisdahl's watch.
In reviewing his time in charge of MLSE, Friisdahl repeatedly cited the people around him, calling them "some of the strongest and best people in sports."
They were needed during "a very difficult time for the entire organization." But it was also a time where it was "very inspiring for our staff to participate and really be a part of giving back," he said.
Championships came during his tenure — Toronto FC, Argonauts and Raptors 905 (NBA G League) in 2017, the Marlies in 2018 and Raptors in 2019.
"Probably the biggest measure of success are championships, because that's what were here for each and every day. But It's also been supported by a really strong business performance driven by some great business leaders with MLSE," Friisdahl said.
He sees a brighter future ahead.
"There's a lot of pent-up demand and I think we saw that when we went back to full arenas before Christmas, before the Omicron shutdown came," he said. "And so I think we will be back stronger than ever … I think MLSE is certainly poised for continued success and so is our live entertainment concert business."
Friisdahl's new job will see him relocate to Orlando, with a permanent move likely in August.
Signature Aviation is a global platform that covers everything from terminals to support services in the private aviation sector — a business that has grown during the pandemic.
"We do everything but operate the actual jets," Friisdahl said.
No stranger to the travel sector, he was president and CEO for Air Canada Leisure Travel Group, including Air Canada Rouge, and CEO of Thomas Cook North America, prior to joining MLSE.
Quitting MLSE was not really part of the plan.
"I'm turning 60 this year and so I certainly wasn't looking for a change, per se," he explained. "I've been extremely fortunate and privileged to lead MLSE for the past six-plus years. I'm very happy with my ownership group, the organization, the engagement with our partners and, of course, our fans, and being able to contribute to the community … particularly during the last two years of COVID."
But while happy at MLSE, he saw the appeal — and potential — in a return to a growth industry he knows via a company with a global reach.
"We felt as a family taking on this challenge and this journey moving to the U.S. was really quite exciting," he said.
Friisdahl was born in Denmark but came to Canada when he was 13. Originally based in Vancouver, he has been in Toronto since 1985.
