Michael Friisdahl replaces Tim Leiweke as MLSE president

Tim Leiweke's successor has been chosen.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has hired Air Canada executive Michael Friisdahl as the company's new president and chief executive officer, the company announced Thursday.

Friisdahl had served as president and chief executive of the airline's leisure group since 2012.

"It is a true privilege to be chosen to lead MLSE, a proudly Canadian sports and entertainment company that rivals any in North America and indeed the world," Friisdahl said in an official statement. "As a Torontonian, I'm thrilled by the opportunity to focus all of our resources on supporting the Leafs, Raptors, TFC, Marlies, and Raptors 905, and making Toronto the championship city that our fans deserve.

"We have Toronto FC in the playoffs, Raptors 905 tipping off next month, NBA All-Star (Game) and the World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre in 2016, Grey Cup 2016 at BMO Field, and the 100th anniversary of the Maple Leafs in 2017. These are exciting times for Toronto, indeed for all Canadian sports fans, and I'm very proud to be leading the MLSE team that will deliver for them."

Friisdahl replaces Leiweke, who'd overseen the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto FC - among other branches of the company - since April 2013.

Leiweke's imminent departure was made known in August 2014, when he announced that he would leave the company to pursue opportunities elsewhere in the sports and entertainment industry.