TORONTO — Mark Shapiro’s long-anticipated contract extension is complete, Rogers Communications handing him a third five-year term as president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal announced Friday.
The news isn’t surprising, as murmurs of an expected agreement began as far back as the middle of the summer. During an August media availability, Shapiro hinted at the outcome, as well, when he said, “I want to remain here and I can also say that both Edward (Rogers, the company’s executive chair) and Tony (Staffieri, Rogers’ CEO) have been reciprocal in that desire.”
Shapiro’s current deal, announced Jan. 13, 2021, ran through the end of year and the new contract runs through 2030, maintaining a leadership stability far from assured when the Blue Jays began what turned out to be a remarkable 2025 season.
A last-place finish in 2024 had put much around the franchise into question but after a middling start this year, the Blue Jays rebounded to win the American League East and advance to the World Series for the third time in team history, and first since 1993. The seven-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers remains a staple of industry buzz.
“Mark’s exceptional leadership has been a driving force behind the Blue Jays success, and we’re thrilled he will continue to lead our team and build on their incredible momentum,” Rogers said in a release announcing the agreement Friday. “As proud owner of Canada’s team, we are excited to work with Mark and his team to give them the tools and resources they need to bring World Series championships back to Canada.”
Shapiro took over from Paul Beeston, the franchise’s first hired employee, at the end of the 2015 season. Under his watch, the Blue Jays made four post-season trips as a wild-card team before winning the division this season and underwent a rebuild from the 2015-16 playoff clubs to the current core.
“The opportunity to lead the Blue Jays organization over the past 10 years has been incredibly fulfilling. Together, we have built an organization with people who care deeply about baseball and take immense pride in being Canada’s team. I am grateful and honoured to be able to continue that work,” Shapiro said in the release. “Watching our country unite behind our team this past season has inspired and energized us to continue a relentless pursuit of bringing World Series championships back to Canada, and with the support of Edward, Tony and Rogers, we’re committed to providing our fans a championship-calibre team and a best-in-class fan experience.”
Underpinning the post-season trips is the way the Blue Jays recast their business, renovating the Rogers Centre and the building the new Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Fla., to both generate more revenue and better support the on-field product.
Commensurate increases in payroll have allowed the Blue Jays to compete at the top of the free-agent market again, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500-million, 14-year extension is the second-richest in baseball history once deferrals are factored into Shohei Ohtani’s $700-million, 10-year deal. The Blue Jays were in the bidding for him and for Juan Soto, owner of a $765-million, 15-year contract that tops the sport’s charts.
The recently completed $210-million, seven-year contract for Dylan Cease is the richest deal of the current off-season so far.
“Under Mark’s leadership, the Blue Jays have become a benchmark for excellence in Major League Baseball,” Staffieri said in the statement. “He has delivered a best-in-class fan experience both on and off the field, and we’re excited for a strong future for the Blue Jays.”
