NEW YORK – The National Hockey League today announced the unanimous election of Ted Leonsis, Governor of the Washington Capitals and Chairman of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, as Chairman of the League’s Board of Governors. Leonsis will succeed Boston Bruins Governor Jeremy Jacobs, who has served with distinction in the role of Chairman for the last 19 years.
The League also announced that Murray Edwards, Governor of the Calgary Flames, will assume the role of Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors.
“It has been one of the great privileges of my career to work alongside Jeremy Jacobs for the last 19 years as he led the Board of Governors with a rare combination of steadiness and vision,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “His wisdom and unwavering commitment to this League have helped guide us through a period of unprecedented growth, both on and off the ice. On behalf of the Board of Governors, our Clubs and our fans, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his extraordinary service and his enduring legacy as one of the great leaders in the history of our game.
“Ted Leonsis’ entrepreneurial instincts and forward-thinking approach have helped shape the direction of our League for more than two decades. Since joining the Board of Governors, Ted has been an invaluable leader and a thoughtful voice in our boardroom, bringing to our discussions the same innovative spirit he has poured into Monumental Sports & Entertainment. I am excited to work alongside him in this new capacity as we continue to build on the remarkable momentum of our League.
“Murray Edwards’ passion for our game, our League and our collective future has been evident in every conversation we’ve shared over the years. As one of our longest-serving Governors, Murray has been a great partner and an astute businessman, and his deep investment in the success of the sport of hockey makes him an ideal choice to serve as our Vice-Chair.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be elected Chairman of the NHL’s Board of Governors, and I’m grateful to my fellow owners for their trust,” said Leonsis. “Long before I became an owner, I was a fan of this game and of the Washington Capitals. I love hockey and have a profound belief in its potential – we have proven in Washington how investing in a team, its fans and in a community can create a true hockey city. I thank Jeremy Jacobs for his nearly two decades of commitment to the League as Chairman and Gary Bettman for his stewardship and partnership, and I look forward to working closely alongside Murray Edwards as Vice-Chair. Our opportunity now is to continue growing our game, serve our fans well and build an even stronger National Hockey League.”
“I am incredibly honored to have been asked to assume the role of Vice-Chair of the NHL’s Board of Governors,” said Edwards. “I am looking forward to working closely with incoming Chairman Ted Leonsis, our Board of Governor peers, Commissioner Bettman and the NHL Office to build upon the legacy of Jeremy Jacobs in ensuring the NHL’s continuing partnership with the players to create many more exciting memories for the fans in the years ahead.”
