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 Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, the Canadian communications giant and owner of the Toronto Blue Jays, died of congestive heart failure at his home on Monday at the age of 75.
Rogers was able to take his company, Rogers Communications, Inc., and feign off bankruptcy under a mountain of debt, only to emerge as the king of communications in Canada. “Mr. Rogers' successor as Chief Executive Officer will be addressed by the Rogers Communications Inc. Board of Directors which intends to form a special committee to lead a search considering internal and external candidates. In the meantime, Alan Horn, Chairman of Rogers Communications Inc., will continue to serve as acting Chief Executive Officer and lead the company's office of the president,” Rogers Communications said in a statement. Rogers purchased an 80 percent controlling interest in the Blue Jays in 2000 for $112 million US with a combination of stock and cash. He later purchased Skydome, the home of the Blue Jays, in November of 2004 and renamed in Rogers Centre in February of 2005. Rogers was a distinct departure from former owner Interbrew SA of Belgium. Interbrew was notoriously frugal with player payroll, and the team suffered in the standings after winning the World Series in 1992 and ’93. Spending, however, hasn’t equated winning, as of late. While finishing second in the AL East in 2006, the Blue Jays only mustered a fourth place finish in what is considered baseball’s toughest division last season. "“Major League Baseball is saddened by the loss of Ted Rogers, whose stewardship of the Blue Jays maintained the franchise’s great tradition," Commissioner Selig said in a statement. "Ted’s spirit of philanthropy has left a tremendous legacy. On behalf of all his friends in baseball, I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife, Loretta, their children, their grandchildren and his many friends.” Rogers is survived by his wife Loretta and children Lisa Anne, Edward Samuel, Melinda Mary, and Martha Loretta. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.
 Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
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