Mark Shapiro Breaks Silence on Contract Extension as NBA & NHL Shakeups Cloud Blue Jays’ Future

A ticking clock hangs over the Toronto Blue Jays’ front office. Team president and CEO Mark Shapiro’s contract is about to end after the 2025 season. And yet, while the team has performed well, the sound of the new contract extension remains surprisingly muted. And with some major shakeups across town, this silence is getting louder, as corporate behemoth Rogers Communications fired the presidents of its other teams, the NBA’s Raptors and NHL’s Maple Leafs, just recently.

Even Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun asked, “What does Rogers do with Shapiro now? Does he re-up him… because of this season or let him go because of the past nine seasons…Brendan Shanahan was let go…after 11 seasons. Masai Ujiri was let go…after 12 seasons. Both had more success…than Shapiro has had.”

Facing a perfect storm of media attention, Shapiro finally broke his silence on his future issues. At a press conference before a game against the Chicago Cubs, he made it clear that Toronto is where he wants to be. “When I think about alternatives, I’ve never been a grass is greener guy,” Shapiro said. “Twenty-four years in one place in Cleveland and 10 years here now. So it’s the appreciation for what I have… the city that I work in and the country that I live in, those things are drivers for me to remain here.”

When brought to the issue of talks with team owner Rogers Communications, Shapiro was very deliberate with his words: “Sure, yeah, I mean, I think (it’s) not appropriate for me to comment beyond the fact that…I want to remain here,” he said. Then he further added the most important statement. “And I can also say that both (Rogers executive chair) Edward (Rogers) and (Rogers president/CEO) Tony (Staffieri) have been reciprocal in that desire.” 

Shapiro’s decade in Toronto has been a study in contrasts. He took over after the 2015 season, replacing beloved Paul Beeston. There were immense expectations after the 2015 season, and fan skepticism was quite steep, especially after the favorite GM, Alex Anthopoulos, left. However, Shapiro was successful with his corporate mandate. He oversaw a multi-million-dollar renovation of the Rogers Centre. In addition, he further modernized the team’s player development complex in Dunedin, Florida.

And he even convinced ownership to spend in the top 10 for team payroll, something unthinkable a decade ago. His spending allowed the front office to go after big names, including George Springer ($150M), Hyun Jin Ryu ($80M), and Anthony Santander on a five-year deal. Most notably, he gave a 14-year, $500 million deal to superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

In spite of the off-field success, a large shadow looms over his future tenure. That shadow is the frustrating lack of on-field success when it counts. Under his watch, the Jays made four playoff appearances. But they have not come out on top in a single playoff game since 2016. Three straight Wild Card Series sweeps left the fans and the players with nothing to show for their defense. To see why this may be a deal breaker, you only need to look across town.

A new standard of accountability in Toronto?

The past actions of the city’s sports business tell a powerful story. Rogers Communications is now the main player with majority control of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). This puts the Blue Jays, the Raptors, and the Maple Leafs all under one umbrella. Rogers has since shown a new standard of accountability. Brendan Shanahan, president of the Maple Leafs, was fired from his post as president of the Maple Leafs. After 11 years, his team’s regular-season success wasn’t enough to make up for the repeated playoff failures.

Then, in June, Masai Ujiri was let go as president of the Raptors. He made his reputation in the city by delivering an NBA Championship for Toronto in 2019. But a few years of decline were enough for the new ownership to move on. It was crystal clear from that move that past glories and long tenures don’t guarantee your job. This will bring Shapiro’s postseason record squarely under consideration.

Now, Shapiro’s advantage comes from the 2025 season. Following a dismal Blue Jays last-place finish in 2024, the team has executed a stunning worst-to-first turnaround, boasting a 69-50 record and leading the American League as of mid-August. Coupled with in-season acquisitions of Shane Bieber, Seranthony Dominguez, and Ty France, the team certainly has a deeper rotation and is poised for a deep playoff run.

So, the ball is in Rogers’ court. Do they reward the architect of this incredible 2025 turnaround, or does the past decade of playoff failure matter more? In their shoes, what would you do?