Canada's Walk of Fame Honours Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment with Inaugural 'Friend of Canada's Walk of Fame' Distinction

MLSE to Team Up with CWOF to Celebrate Community Heroes and Inspire Youth

TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's Walk of Fame (CWOF) honoured Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) last night at the organization's annual gala with the inaugural 'Friend of Canada's Walk of Fame' distinction, recognizing the parent company to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC for their countless contributions made to communities, not just in Toronto, but across Canada. As part of the recognition, MLSE will receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 2018.

At the same time, MLSE and CWOF announced plans to work together to honour a Canadian community hero each year, starting in 2018 – a coach, first responder, member of the armed forces – someone whose story may be less well known, but their impact just as profound.

With this new partnership, MLSE will expand their support and have a more significant impact on CWOF's ability to grow their programming and broaden their impact when it comes to inspiring, engaging, mentoring and giving back to next generation achievers, and all Canadians.

"MLSE has a long history of community leadership and team building, and so Canada's Walk of Fame is so honoured and excited to create this new partnership with them as we transform our foundation to build a stronger national platform," said Jeffrey Latimer, Chief Executive Officer of Canada's Walk of Fame. "Their support and guidance will help us as we work to make CWOF mean more to more people more often, and to really serve as a catalyst for achievement in communities across Canada."

For MLSE, the relationship with CWOF brings an opportunity to build on its legacy of providing Canadians with reasons to gather, to cheer and to contribute to their communities.

"MLSE is very proud to be a long-time supporter of Canada's Walk of Fame and the important role it plays celebrating Canadian successes," said Michael Friisdahl, President and CEO of MLSE. "We're also extremely honoured to be named the inaugural 'Friend of Canada's Walk of Fame' and for the opportunity to work together to highlight the heroes in our communities that make this country so special."

About Canada's Walk of Fame
Founded in 1998 by Peter Soumalias, in partnership with Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Gary Slaight, Canada's Walk of Fame recognizes and celebrates Canadians who excel in their respective fields, fueling our sense of Canadian pride and inspiring the next generation. Canada's Walk of Fame will celebrate its 20^th Anniversary Year in 2018, and will focus on creating a larger, more national platform which will not only celebrate Canadian achievement, but also catalyze it through expanded TV, media opportunities, and programming. Programs include a festival featuring some of Canada's most popular and iconic performers, as well as emerging artists from across the country, the Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour recognizing Canadians making a difference in their community, the Emerging Artist Music Mentorship program, supported by RBC, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. With 2017's additions, 173 stars recognizing remarkable Canadians will have a permanent place of tribute on Canada's Walk of Fame in the streets of Toronto's Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees along with more information on Canada's Walk of Fame visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com.

Canada's Walk of Fame became a national registered charity in 2012. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.

About Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) one of the world's premier sports and entertainment companies, owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC, Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G-League), and TFC II (USL).  It also owns Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Square, digital channels - Leafs Nation Network and NBA TV Canada and has a partnership with Live Nation - the biggest concert promoter in the world. MLSE has also invested in and operates five of Toronto's sports facilities - Ricoh Coliseum, BMO Field, Kia Training Grounds at Downsview Park, home of Toronto FC's Academy and the First Team's practice facility, BioSteel Centre, the Toronto Raptors' training facility and the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the practice facility for the Maple Leafs and Marlies.

SOURCE Canada's Walk of Fame

Media Contacts: Adrienne Kakoullis, Holmes PR, 416-628-5610, [email protected]; Abby Albino, MLSE, 416-882-5485, [email protected]