Editing Toronto Maple Leafs (section)

== Team operations ==

=== Branding ===

==== Logo and uniform ====
{{multiple image
 | total_width=230
 | align = right
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1 = Toronto Arenas Logo.svg
 | alt1 = The Toronto Arenas logo, which is a capitalized letter T in blue.
 | image2 = St. Patricks de Toronto.gif
 | alt2 = One of the Toronto St. Patricks logo, a white capsule with its long side laid horizontally superimposed on a green background. The words St. Pats spelt out within the capsule.
 | footer = Former logos used by the franchise (from left to right: Arenas logo used from 1917 to 1918; the St. Patricks logo used from 1922 to 1925).
}}
The team is represented through several images and symbols, including the maple leaf logo found on the club's uniform. The Maple Leafs' jersey has a long history and is one of the best-selling NHL jerseys among fans.<ref name="hunter2010">{{cite news|author=Paul Hunter|date=June 14, 2010|title=Leafs' new look is a bit old-school|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/823558--leafs-new-look-is-a-bit-old-school|access-date=September 6, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124012637/http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/823558--leafs-new-look-is-a-bit-old-school|archive-date=November 24, 2011}}</ref> The club's uniforms have been altered several times. The club's first uniforms were blue and featured the letter T.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/leafs-unveil-uniform-for-the-2017-scotiabank-nhl-centennial-classic/c-283939166|title=Leafs Unveil Uniform For Centennial Classic|work=Toronto Maple Leafs|publisher=Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212401/https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/leafs-unveil-uniform-for-the-2017-scotiabank-nhl-centennial-classic/c-283939166|archive-date=August 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The first major alteration came in 1919 when the club was renamed the St. Patricks. The uniforms were green with "Toronto St. Pats" on the logo, lettered in green either on a white "pill" shape or stripes.<ref name=ml1920 />{{sfn|Obodiac|1976|p=202}}

When the club was renamed the Maple Leafs in the 1927–28 season, the logo was changed, and the team reverted to blue uniforms.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=35}} The logo was a 48-point maple leaf with the words lettered in white. The home jersey was blue with alternating thin-thick stripes on the arms, legs and shoulders. The road uniform was white with three stripes on the chest and back, waist and legs.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=364}} For 1933–34, the alternating thin-thick stripes were replaced with stripes of equal thickness. This remained the basic design for the next 40 years.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=364}} In 1937, veins were added to the leaf and "Toronto" curved downwards at the ends instead of upwards.{{sfn|Obodiac|1976|p=212}} In 1942, the 35-point leaf was introduced. In 1946, the logo added trimming to the leaf with a white or blue border, while "C" for captain and "A" for alternate captain first appeared on the sweaters. In 1947, the "Toronto Maple Leafs" lettering was in red for a short time. In 1958, a six-eyelet lace and tie were added to the neck and a blue shoulder yoke was added. In 1961, player numbers were added to the sleeves.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=365}}

[[File:Toronto Maple Leafs Logo 1939 - 1967.svg|thumb|left|alt=Old logo for the Maple Leaf, featuring a blue maple leaf stylized with leaf veins on its edges, with white lettering Toronto Maple Leaf placed within the Maple Leaf.|Logo for the Maple Leafs from 1963 to 1967. The logo was later used as an alternate logo for the Maple Leafs (1992–2000; 2008–2016).]]
The fourth major change came in the 1966–67 season when the logo was changed to an 11-point leaf, similar to the leaf on the then-new [[flag of Canada]] to commemorate the [[Canadian Centennial]].{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=365}} The simpler leaf logo featured the [[Futura Display]] typeface, replacing the previous block letters. The stripes on the sleeves and waistline were also changed, adding a wider stripe in between the two thinner stripes (similar to the stripe patterns on the socks and the early Leafs sweaters). Before the 1970–71 season, the Leafs adopted a new 11-point leaf logo, with a [[Kabel (typeface)|Kabel bold-font]] "Toronto" going straight across, running parallel to the other words. Other changes to the sweater included the replacement of the arm strips with an elongated yoke that extended to the ends of the sleeves, a solid single stripe on the waist replacing the three waistline stripes, two stripes on the stockings, and a smaller, textless Leaf crest on the shoulders.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=366}} In 1973, the jersey's neck was a lace tie-down design, before the V-neck returned in 1976. In 1977, the NHL rules were changed to require names on the backs of the uniforms, but Harold Ballard resisted the change. Under Ballard's direction, the team briefly "complied" with the rule by placing blue letters on the blue road jersey for a game on February 26, 1978. With the NHL threatening hefty fines for failing to comply with the spirit of the rule (namely, having the names be legible for the fans and broadcasters in attendance), Ballard reached a compromise with the league, allowing the Leafs to finish the [[1977–78 NHL season|1977–78 season]] with contrasting white letters on the road sweaters, and coming into full compliance with the new rule in the [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79 season]] by adding names in blue to the white home sweaters.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=366}}

With the NHL's 75th anniversary season (1991–92 season), the Leafs wore "Original Six" style uniforms similar to the designs used in the 1940s.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=366}} Because of the fan reaction to the previous season's classic uniforms, the first changes to the Maple Leafs uniform in over 20 years were made. The revised uniforms for [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]] featured two stripes on the sleeves and waistline like the classic uniform, but with the 1970 11-point leaf with Kabel text on the front. A vintage-style veined leaf crest was placed on the shoulders.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=366}} The uniforms would undergo a few modifications over the years.

[[File:2016 NHL All-Star Game (24660206292).jpg|thumb|alt=A banner featuring an old Maple Leaf logo, featuring an eleven-pointed white maple leaf on a blue background.|Maple Leafs banner at the [[2016 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2016 NHL All-Star Game]]. The 11-point leaf logo was used as the primary team logo from [[1970–71 NHL season|1970]] to [[2016–17 NHL season|2016]].]]
In 1997, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] acquired the rights to manufacture Maple Leafs uniforms. Construction changes to the uniform included a wishbone collar and pothole mesh underarms, while the player name and number font were changed to Kabel to match the logo. CCM returned to manufacturing the Leafs uniforms in 1999 when Nike withdrew from the hockey jersey market, and kept most of the changes, although in 2000 the Kabel numbers were replaced with block numbers outlined in silver, and a silver-outlined interlocked TML monogram replaced the vintage leaf on the shoulders. Also during this time, the Leafs began wearing a white 1960s-style throwback [[third jersey]] featuring the outlined 35-point leaf, blue shoulders, and lace-up collar.

With Reebok taking over the NHL jersey contract following the 2004–05 lockout, changes were expected when the [[Reebok Edge|Edge uniform system]] was set to debut in 2007. As part of the Edge overhaul, the TML monograms were removed from the shoulders, and the silver outlines on the numbers were replaced with blue or white outlines (e.g. the blue home jersey featured white numbers with blue and white outlines, rather than blue and silver), and the waistline stripes were removed. In 2010, the two waistline stripes were restored, the vintage leaf returned to the shoulders, and the player names and numbers were changed again, reverting to a simpler single-colour block font. Finally, lace-up collars were brought back to the primary uniforms.<ref name="hunter2010" />{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=367}} The Leafs also brought back the 1967–1970 blue uniform, replacing the white 1960s jersey as their third uniform. For the [[2014 NHL Winter Classic]], the Leafs wore a sweater inspired by their earlier uniforms in the 1930s.{{sfn|LeafsPR|2016|p=367}}

On February 2, 2016, the team unveiled a new logo for the 2016–17 season in honour of its centennial, dropping the use of the Kabel-style font lettering used from 1970; it returns the logo to a form inspired by the earlier designs, with 31 points to allude to the 1931 opening of Maple Leaf Gardens, and 17 veins a reference to its establishment in 1917. 13 of the veins are positioned along the top part in honour of its 13 Stanley Cup victories. The logo was subsequently accompanied by a new uniform design that was unveiled during the [[2016 NHL entry draft]] on June 24, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maple Leafs Unveil New Logo|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-unveil-new-logo/c-807338|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=MapleLeafs.com|date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406203619/https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-unveil-new-logo/c-807338|archive-date=April 6, 2017|access-date=October 20, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Leafs unveil new logo for 2016–17|url=https://www.tsn.ca/leafs-unveil-new-logo-for-2016-17-1.432349|publisher=The Sports Network|date=February 2, 2016|access-date=June 26, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621215611/http://www.tsn.ca/leafs-unveil-new-logo-for-2016-17-1.432349|archive-date=June 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Toronto Maple Leafs unveil new uniforms at 2016 NHL Draft|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/toronto-maple-leafs-unveil-new-uniforms-at-2016-nhl-draft/c-887071|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=MapleLeafs.com|date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105104820/https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/toronto-maple-leafs-unveil-new-uniforms-at-2016-nhl-draft/c-887071|archive-date=November 5, 2016|access-date=October 20, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to the new logo, the new uniforms feature a custom block typeface for the player names and numbers. Two stripes remain on the sleeves, with a single stripe at the waistline. The updated design carried over to the [[Adidas]] Adizero uniforms adopted by the NHL in 2017.<ref>{{cite press release|title=NHL and adidas Unveil New Uniforms for 2017–18 Season|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/nhl-and-adidas-unveil-new-uniforms-for-2017-18-season/c-290030050|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=MapleLeafs.com|date=June 21, 2017|access-date=December 6, 2020}}</ref>

The Maple Leafs have worn historical throwback uniforms for select games, with the club wearing Toronto Arenas or St. Pats-inspired throwback designs.<ref name=retrorev>{{cite news|url=https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/new-maple-leafs-reverse-retro-jersey-sparks-debate|title=New Maple Leafs' 'Reverse Retro' jersey sparks debate|last=Hornby|first=Lance|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=December 6, 2020|newspaper=Toronto Sun}}</ref> Additionally, the Leafs have also used contemporary "historically inspired" uniforms as an alternate uniform. For the Centennial Classic, each Leafs player wore a blue sweater with bold white stripes across the chest and arms; the white stripe being a tribute to the St. Pats, while a stylized-"T" used by the Arenas featured on their [[hockey pants]].<ref name="stadiumuni" /> For the 2020–21 season, the Maple Leafs wore "reverse retro" alternate uniforms, which included silver stripes inspired by the uniforms used from 1970 to 1972, while using the club's logo used from 1967 to 1970.<ref name="retrorev" /> Then for the [[2022 Heritage Classic]], the Maple Leafs donned a modified version of the team's Arenas throwbacks, with blue-on-blue lettering on the "Arenas" wordmark as a nod to the infamous 1978 uniforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-heritage-classic-jerseys-maple-leafs-sabres/c-330900596|title=Sabres, Maple Leafs reveal jerseys for 2022 NHL Heritage Classic|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|date=February 17, 2022|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> A second "reverse retro" alternate uniform, featuring the blue version of the white road uniforms they wore in 1962, was released. This design added a white shoulder yoke which was absent on the original blue uniform.<ref>{{cite news|title=NHL Reverse Retro jerseys for all 32 teams unveiled by adidas|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-adidas-nhl-reverse-retro-jerseys-reveal/c-336511528|website=NHL.com|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref>

Other alternate uniforms worn by the team include a white uniform with two blue stripes across the chest and arms, paired this uniform with white pants worn for the [[2018 NHL Stadium Series]].<ref name=stadiumuni>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/leafs-unveil-uniform-for-the-2017-scotiabank-nhl-centennial-classic/c-283939166|title=Leafs Unveil Uniform For Centennial Classic|department=Toronto Maple Leafs|access-date=December 6, 2020|date=November 21, 2016|website=www.nhl.com|publisher=NHL Enterprise}}</ref> The uniforms were largely coloured white as a tribute to the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] and also included bolder blue outlines to create uniforms more pronounced for outdoor settings.<ref name="stadiumuni" />

During the 2021–22 season, the Leafs named [[TikTok]], a video-sharing website, as their helmet entitlement partner.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MLSE announces deal with TikTok, company's logo featured on Leafs' helmets|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/mlse-announces-deal-tiktok-companys-logo-featured-leafs-helmets/|access-date=October 13, 2021|website=Sportsnet|date=October 13, 2021 }}</ref> Then in the 2022–23 season, the Maple Leafs announced a uniform sponsorship with the [[Dairy Farmers of Ontario]], utilizing the organization's "Milk" insignia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto Maple Leafs Partner with Dairy Farmers of Ontario |url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/toronto-maple-leafs-partner-with-dairy-farmers-of-ontario/c-335651244 |website=NHL.com |access-date=September 20, 2022 |date=September 20, 2022}}</ref> For the 2023–24 season, [[Pizza Pizza]] became the team's helmet entitlement partner; however, they were only featured on the home helmets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Report: Maple Leafs to Unveil Pizza Pizza as New Helmet Sponsor for 2023-24 Home Games|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-maple-leafs-to-unveil-pizza-pizza-as-new-helmet-sponsor-for-2023-24-home-games|access-date=April 29, 2024|website=The Hockey News|date=November 28, 2023}}</ref> In the 2024–25 season, Mondelez's [[Oreo]] served as the team's helmet entitlement partner, placing them on all of their helmets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maple Leafs announce Oreo as new helmet sponsor for upcoming NHL season|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-announce-oreo-as-new-helmet-sponsor-for-upcoming-nhl-season/|access-date=March 21, 2025|website=Sportsnet|date=September 17, 2024}}</ref>

On March 22, 2022, the Maple Leafs unveiled a new alternate uniform, but for the first time in team history, black served as a base colour with the traditional blue serving as a trim colour. The "Next Gen" uniform features the team crest with a blue and black tie-dye background, along with a subtle black/blue skyline motif serving as sleeve stripes. It also comes with a reversible crest, featuring Canadian singer [[Justin Bieber]]'s modified drew house insignia inside a yellow Maple Leafs logo and yellow stripes. The black/blue front is normally worn as a game uniform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-third-jerseys-designed-by-justin-bieber/c-332087670|title=Justin Bieber designs reversible Maple Leafs jersey|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|date=March 22, 2022|access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref>

==== Mascot ====
The Maple Leafs' [[List of NHL mascots|mascot]] is Carlton the Bear, an [[anthropomorphic]] [[polar bear]] whose name and number (#60) come from the location of [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] at 60 Carlton Street, where the Leafs played throughout much of their history.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=294–295}} Carlton made his first public appearance on July 29, 1995. He later made his regular season appearance on October 10, 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leafsnation100.mapleleafs.com/carlton-the-bear/|title=Toronto Maple Leafs Centennial Timeline|publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs|year=2018|access-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405153411/https://leafsnation100.mapleleafs.com/carlton-the-bear/|archive-date=April 5, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Broadcasting ===
{{See also|List of Toronto Maple Leafs broadcasters}}
[[File:Foster Hewitt.JPG|thumb|left|alt=Foster Hewitt sitting at his office desk.|[[Foster Hewitt]] was the Maple Leafs' first radio play-by-play announcer from 1927 to 1968.]]
As a result of both [[Bell Canada]] and [[Rogers Communications]] having an ownership stake in MLSE, Maple Leafs broadcasts are split between the two media companies; with regional TV broadcasts split between Rogers' [[Sportsnet Ontario]] and Bell's [[TSN4]].<ref name=brospl>{{cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/109296/crtc-approves-sale-of-maple-leaf-sports-and-entert |title=CRTC Approves Sale Of Maple Leaf Sports And Entertainment To Bell And Rogers &#124; |publisher=Allaccess.com |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=January 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108072820/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/109296/crtc-approves-sale-of-maple-leaf-sports-and-entert |archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=728571 | title=Leafs Announce 2014–15 TV & Radio Broadcast Schedule | publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs | access-date=October 11, 2014 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018132551/http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=728571 | archive-date=October 18, 2014 | df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Colour commentary]] for Bell's television broadcasts is performed by [[Mike Johnson (ice hockey)|Mike Johnson]], while play-by-play is provided by [[Gord Miller (sportscaster)|Gord Miller]].<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Gord Miller|user=GMillerTSN|number=1578868724895211520|title=In Toronto with ⁦@mike_p_johnson for Red Wings/Maple Leafs in TSN4 at 7pm in the Leafs region. Final pre-season game for both, Toronto will have a full lineup (minus injured players). These teams have closed out the pre-season with a home and home series for 40+ years.}}</ref> Colour commentary for Rogers' television broadcasts is performed by [[Craig Simpson]], while play-by-play is provided by [[Chris Cuthbert]]; both also serve as the lead broadcast team of Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet's national TV broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsbroadcastjournal.com/nhl-kenny-albert-and-john-forslund-will-share-nbcs-regular-season-load-full-list-of-all-teams-tv-radio-voices/ | title=NHL: Kenny Albert and John Forslund will share NBC's regular season load; Full list of all teams' TV/Radio voices | publisher=Sports Broadcast Journal | date=January 20, 2021 | access-date=January 23, 2021}}</ref> From 2001 to 2022, MLSE also operated a specialty channel, the [[Leafs Nation Network]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2022/08/16/leafs-tv-will-shut-down-after-21-years-on-the-air.html|title=Leafs TV will shut down after 21 years on the air|publisher=Torstar Corporation|date=August 16, 2022|access-date=September 2, 2022|website=www.thestar.com|last=Ngabo|first=Gilbert}}</ref>

Like the Maple Leafs television broadcasts, radio broadcasts are split evenly between Rogers' [[CJCL]] (Sportsnet 590, The Fan) and Bell's [[CHUM (AM)|CHUM]] (TSN Radio 1050).<ref name="brospl" /> Both Bell and Rogers' radio broadcasts have their colour commentary provided by [[Jim Ralph]], with play-by-play provided by [[Joe Bowen]].

Radio broadcasts of games played by the club were started in 1923.<ref name=HFiC>{{cite book|title=Hockey Fight in Canada: The Big Media Faceoff over the NHL|last=Shoalts|first=David|year=2018|publisher=Douglas & McIntyre|isbn=978-1-77162-205-9}}</ref> The first Leafs hockey game that was televised occurred on November 10, 1952; the broadcast also being the first English-language television broadcast of an NHL game in Canada.<ref name="HFiC" /> Foster Hewitt was the Leafs' first play-by-play broadcaster, providing radio play-by-play from 1927 to 1978. In addition, he provided play-by-play for television from 1952 to 1958, and colour commentary from 1958 to 1961.{{sfn|Leonetti|2014|p=160–161}} Originally aired over [[CFCA (AM)|CFCA]], Hewitt's broadcast was picked up by the [[Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission]] (the CRBC) in 1933, moving to [[CBC Radio]] (the CRBC's successor) three years later.<ref name=FosHew>{{cite web|url=https://www.hhof.com/htmlSpotlight/spot_oneononeb196501.shtml|title=One on One with Foster Hewitt|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum|date=November 9, 2007|access-date=July 7, 2017|editor=Kevin Shea|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630113156/http://hhof.com/htmlSpotlight/spot_oneononeb196501.shtml|archive-date=June 30, 2016}}</ref>

=== Home arenas and practice facilities ===
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:center;"
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#00205B 5px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 5px solid;"|Home arenas
|-
! Arena
! Tenure
|-
| [[Arena Gardens]] || 1917–1931
|-
| [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] || 1931–1999
|-
| [[Scotiabank Arena]] || 1999–present
|}
The team's first home was the Arena Gardens, later known as the [[Mutual Street Arena]]. From 1912 until 1931, the Arena was ice hockey's premier site in Toronto.<ref>{{cite book|title=Let's Dance|last=Young|first=Peter|year=2002|publisher=Natural Heritage/Natural History |page=23|isbn=1-896219-02-0}}</ref> The Arena Gardens was the third arena in Canada to feature a mechanically frozen, or artificial, ice surface, and for 11 years was the only such facility in Eastern Canada.<ref>{{cite book|title=Toronto: The Way We Were|year=2008 | last = Filey | first = Mike | page=225 | publisher = [[Dundurn Press]] |isbn=978-1-55002-842-3}}</ref> The Arena was demolished in 1989, with most of the site converted to residential developments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://heritagetoronto.org/arena-gardens/|publisher=Heritage Toronto|date=March 6, 2016|title=Arena Gardens|access-date=July 7, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106112742/http://heritagetoronto.org/arena-gardens/|archive-date=January 6, 2017}}</ref> In 2011, parts of the site were made into a city park, known as Arena Gardens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-37996.pdf|title=Proposed renaming of Cathedral Square Park to 'Arena Gardens'|author=Brenda Patterson, General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation|date=May 4, 2011|work=Staff Report|publisher=City of Toronto|access-date=August 10, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016081855/http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-37996.pdf|archive-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:MapleLeafGardens1934.jpg|thumb|alt=High up view of Carlton Street, with Maple Leaf Gardens in the centre.|Opening in 1931, [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] was the home arena for the Maple Leafs from 1931 to 1999.]]
Within a six months in 1931, Conn Smythe built [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street, for C$1.5&nbsp;million (C${{inflation|CA|1.5|1931|r=1}} million in {{CURRENTYEAR}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://heritagetoronto.org/maple-leaf-gardens/|title=Maple Leaf Gardens|work=Heritage Toronto|access-date=July 7, 2017|date=November 29, 2013|last=Boccia|first=Erica|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511173832/http://heritagetoronto.org/maple-leaf-gardens/|archive-date=May 11, 2017}}</ref> The arena soon acquired nicknames including the "Carlton Street Cashbox", and the "Maple Leaf Mint", since the team's games were constantly sold out.<ref>{{cite book|title=Architecture on Ice: A History of the Hockey Arena|last=Shubert|first=Howard|publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press|year=2016|pages=95–96|isbn=978-0-7735-4813-8}}</ref> The Maple Leafs won 11 Stanley Cups while playing at the Gardens. The first annual [[NHL All-Star Game]] was also held at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1947.<ref>{{cite book|title=NHL All-star Game: 50 Years of the Great Tradition|last=Podnieks|first=Andrew|page=23|year=2000|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|isbn=0-00-200058-X}}</ref> The Gardens opened on November 12, 1931, with the Maple Leafs losing 2–1 to the Chicago Blackhawks.<ref name=LEA30 /> On February 13, 1999, the Maple Leafs played their last game at the Gardens, also suffering a 6–2 loss to the Blackhawks.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=303–304}} The building is presently used as a multi-purpose facility, with a [[Loblaws]] grocery store occupying retail space on the lower floors, [[Joe Fresh]] and [[LCBO]] occupying another floor, and an athletics arena for Ryerson University (now [[Toronto Metropolitan University]]) occupying the topmost level.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maple Leaf Gardens: From Shrine to Supermarket|first=Dana|last=Flavelle|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/companies/article/1092943--maple-leaf-gardens-from-shrine-to-supermarket|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|date=November 25, 2011|access-date=November 25, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128055357/http://www.thestar.com/business/companies/article/1092943--maple-leaf-gardens-from-shrine-to-supermarket|archive-date=November 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mattamyathleticcentre.ca/arena-info|title=Mattamy Athletic Centre – Venue Info|publisher=Mattamy Athletic Centre|access-date=January 22, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222133028/http://www.mattamyathleticcentre.ca/arena-info|archive-date=December 22, 2013}}</ref>

The Maple Leafs presently use two facilities in the City of Toronto. The club moved from the Gardens on February 20, 1999, to their current home arena, Air Canada Centre, later renamed [[Scotiabank Arena]], a multi-purpose indoor entertainment arena on [[Bay Street]] in the [[South Core, Toronto|South Core]] neighbourhood of [[Downtown Toronto]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/about/History.asp |title=History |publisher=Air Canada Centre |access-date=April 21, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613185141/http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/about/History.asp |archive-date=June 13, 2011}}</ref> The arena is owned by the Maple Leafs' parent company MLSE and is shared with the NBA's Toronto Raptors (another MLSE subsidiary), as well as the [[National Lacrosse League]]'s [[Toronto Rock]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/about/Facts.asp|title=Facts – The Air Canada Centre|publisher=Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment|access-date=July 7, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615115148/http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/about/Facts.asp|archive-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> In addition to the main arena, the Maple Leafs also operate a practice facility at the [[Ford Performance Centre]]. The facility was opened in 2009 and operated by the [[Lions Clubs International|Lakeshore Lions Club]] until September 2011, when the City of Toronto took over ownership of the facility after the Lions Club faced financial difficulties. The facility now operates as a City of Toronto-controlled corporation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2011/06/21/lakeshore_lions_arena_rescued_city_backtracks_on_naming_rights.html|title=Lakeshore Lions Arena rescued, city backtracks on naming rights|first1=Robyn|last1=Doolittle|first2=David|last2=Rider|date=June 21, 2011|work=Toronto Star|publisher=Torstar Corporation|access-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212001/https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2011/06/21/lakeshore_lions_arena_rescued_city_backtracks_on_naming_rights.html|archive-date=August 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LionsC>{{cite web|url=https://lakeshorearena.ca/|title=Mastercard Centre for Hockey Excellence|publisher=Lakeshore Arena Corporation|access-date=July 7, 2017|year=2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710211633/https://lakeshorearena.ca/|archive-date=July 10, 2017}}</ref> The facility was known as the Mastercard Centre for Hockey Excellence until 2019 when it was renamed the Ford Performance Centre. The facility has three NHL rinks and one Olympic-sized rink.<ref name="LionsC" />

On January 1, 2017, the Maple Leafs played the Detroit Red Wings in a home game at [[BMO Field]], an outdoor multipurpose stadium at [[Exhibition Place]], home to Leafs owner MLSE's other teams: the Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts. Known as the [[NHL Centennial Classic]], the [[NHL outdoor games|outdoor game]] served as a celebration for both the centennial season of the franchise and the NHL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/leafs-red-wings-centennial-1.3917711|title=Centennial Classic lives up to billing as Leafs down Red Wings in OT|last=Siegel|first=Jonas|work=CBC Sports|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=January 2, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305114845/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/leafs-red-wings-centennial-1.3917711|archive-date=March 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Minor league affiliates ===
The Maple Leafs are affiliated with the [[Toronto Marlies]] of the [[American Hockey League]], the Marlies play from [[Coca-Cola Coliseum]] in Toronto. The Maple Leafs' parent company has owned the Marlies franchise since 1978.<ref name=farmhist>{{cite journal|last1=Faseruk|first1=Alex|last2=Clift|first2=Tom|pages=21–22|title=Quest for a Hockey Franchise|journal=Journal of Strategic Innovation & Sustainability|volume=14|issue=5|year=2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718940/000130901411000820/exhibit1.htm|title=Bell acquires ownership position in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment – MLSE|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|website=www.sec.gov|access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Griffins vs. Marlies at the Hockeytown Winter Festival 37.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A blue-coloured zamboni with a Toronto Maple Leafs logo on its side.|A Maple Leafs–branded [[Ice resurfacer|zamboni]] during an AHL game between the [[Grand Rapids Griffins]] and the [[Toronto Marlies]]. The Marlies is the Leafs' AHL affiliate.]]
The first AHL affiliate owned by the Maple Leafs was the [[Rochester Americans]], a team the Leafs initially co-owned with the Montreal Canadiens from 1956 to 1959, before MLGL bought out the Canadiens' share in the team. MLGL held sole ownership of the team until it was sold to an investor group in 1966. However, it continued to serve as their minor league affiliate until 1969. The Leafs did not have an AHL affiliate from 1969 to 1978 and relied on placing their drafted players with other team's affiliates. However, after several poor draft picks and having insufficient control over their prospect's development, MLGL opted to reestablish their own farm system; co-founding the Marlies franchise in 1978, and operating the [[Cincinnati Tigers (ice hockey)|Cincinnati Tigers]] of the [[Central Professional Hockey League|Central Hockey League]] from 1981 to 1982.<ref name="farmhist" />{{notetag|From 1978 to 1982, ownership of the Marlies franchise, then known as the [[New Brunswick Hawks]], was shared with the Chicago Black Hawks. In 1982, the Black Hawks pulled out of the joint management relationship.<ref name="farmhist" />}} The Marlies were initially established as the [[New Brunswick Hawks]], and were later relocated to [[St. Catharines Saints|St. Catherines]], [[Newmarket Saints|Newmarket]], and St. John's, before finally moving to Toronto in 2005.<ref name=Marli>{{cite web|url=http://marlies.ca/marlies-timeline/|title=Marlies Timeline|publisher=Toronto Marlies|access-date=February 28, 2018|year=2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223722/http://marlies.ca/marlies-timeline/|archive-date=February 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20130404/COLUMN35/104049867|title=AHL: Bracken Kearns easy Worcester Sharks MVP choice|last=Ballou|first=Bill|work=Telegram & Gazette|access-date=March 4, 2018|date=April 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172623/http://www.telegram.com/article/20130404/COLUMN35/104049867|archive-date=March 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marlies.ca/ahl-history/|title=AHL History|publisher=Toronto Marlies|access-date=March 4, 2018|year=2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172900/http://marlies.ca/ahl-history/|archive-date=March 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Newfoundland Growlers]] were the [[ECHL]] affiliate of the Maple Leafs from 2018 until 2024, they played from the [[Mary Brown's Centre]] in St. John's, Newfoundland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-announce-newfoundland-growlers-new-echl-affiliate/|title=Maple Leafs announce Newfoundland Growlers as new ECHL affiliate|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004557/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-announce-newfoundland-growlers-new-echl-affiliate/|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike the Marlies, the Growlers were not owned by the Leafs' parent company but were instead owned by Deacon Sports and Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sheena McCreate departs as CEO of St. John's Sports and Entertainment|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-sheena-mccrate-departing-sjse-ceo-1.6275410|website=CBC.ca|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=December 6, 2022|access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref> The Growlers folded in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers terminated by league |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/echls-newfoundland-growlers-terminated-by-league/ |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> The [[Cincinnati Cyclones]] signed an agreement to become the ECHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs in July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Site of The ECHL {{!}} Cyclones sign affiliation agreement with Toronto |url=https://echl.com/news/2024/07/cyclones-sign-affiliation-agreement-with-toronto |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=ECHL}}</ref>

The Marlies were named after the [[Toronto Marlboros]], a [[junior ice hockey|junior]] hockey team named after the [[Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough|Duke of Marlborough]].<ref name="Marli" /> Founded in 1903, the Marlboros were sponsored by the Leafs from 1927 to 1989.<ref name="Marli" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marlies.ca/marlies-history/|title=Marlies History|publisher=Toronto Marlies|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223031/http://marlies.ca/marlies-history/|archive-date=February 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Marlboros constituted one of two junior hockey teams the Leafs formerly sponsored, the other being the [[Toronto St. Michael's Majors]]. The sponsored junior system served as the Leafs primary farm system for young replacement players from the 1940s to 1950s.<ref name=MLH50 /> Formal NHL sponsorship of junior teams ceased in 1966, making all qualifying prospects not already on NHL-sponsored lists eligible for the draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://records.nhl.com/history|title=NHL history|publisher=National Hockey League|website=records.nhl.com|access-date=July 30, 2022|year=2022}}</ref>

=== Ownership ===
The Maple Leafs is one of six professional sports teams owned by [[Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment]] (MLSE). In 2024, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated the value of the club at US$3.8 billion, making the Maple Leafs the most valuable franchise in the NHL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toronto Maple Leafs on the Forbes The Business of Hockey List |url=https://www.forbes.com/teams/toronto-maple-leafs/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> However, MLSE has refuted past valuations made by ''Forbes''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2012/11/29/nhl_lockout_maple_leafs_worth_a_billion_says_forbes.html|title=NHL lockout: Maple Leafs worth a billion says Forbes|last=McGran|first=Kevin|date=November 29, 2012|access-date=May 17, 2019|work=Toronto Star|publisher=Torstar Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517233002/https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2012/11/29/nhl_lockout_maple_leafs_worth_a_billion_says_forbes.html|archive-date=May 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Conn smythe.jpg|thumb|left|[[Conn Smythe]] at Maple Leaf Gardens, 1939. Smythe was the principal owner of the club from 1927 to 1961.]]
Initially, ownership of the club was held by the Arena Gardens of Toronto, Limited; an ownership group fronted by [[Henry Pellatt]] that owned and managed Arena Gardens.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=6}} The club was named a permanent franchise in the League following its inaugural season, with team manager [[Charles Querrie]], and the Arena Gardens treasurer Hubert Vearncombe as its owners.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=13}} The Arena Company owned the club until 1919 when [[litigations]] from [[Eddie Livingstone]] forced the company to declare bankruptcy. Querrie brokered the sale of the Arena Garden's share to the owners of the amateur St. Patricks Hockey Club.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=16}}<ref>{{cite news |work=The Globe |date=December 9, 1919 |page=9 |title=Defense Star Leads "Pros"}}</ref> Maintaining his shares in the club, Querrie fronted the new ownership group until 1927, when the club was put up for sale. [[Toronto Varsity Blues]] coach Conn Smythe put together an ownership group and purchased the franchise for $160,000.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=30–31}} In 1929, Smythe decided, amid the Great Depression, that the Maple Leafs needed a new arena.{{sfn|Shea|Wilson|2016|p=47–48}}<ref name="LEA30" /> To finance it, Smythe launched Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (MLGL), a publicly traded management company to own both the Maple Leafs and the new arena, which was named Maple Leaf Gardens. Smythe traded his stake in the Leafs for shares in MLGL and sold shares in the holding company to the public to help fund construction for the arena.{{sfn|Smythe|Young|1981|p=104–106}}

Although Smythe was the face of MLGL from its founding, he did not gain a controlling interest in the company until 1947.<ref name=Smythecontrol1/><ref name=Smythecontrol2/><ref name=Smythecontrol3/> Smythe remained MLGL's principal owner until 1961 when he sold 90 percent of his shares to an ownership group consisting of [[Harold Ballard]], [[John W. H. Bassett]] and [[Stafford Smythe]]. Ballard became majority owner in February 1972 shortly following the death of Stafford Smythe.<ref name="Balsale" /> Ballard was the principal owner of MLGL until he died in 1990. The company remained a publicly traded company until 1998, when an ownership group fronted by [[Steve Stavro]] privatized the company by acquiring more than the 90 percent of stock necessary to force objecting shareholders out.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stavro set to take Gardens private Meeting seen as a 'rubber stamp'|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|date=August 6, 1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Stavro set to take Gardens private|first=Tony|last=Van Alphen|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|date=May 3, 1994}}</ref>

While initially primarily a hockey company, with ownership stakes in several junior hockey clubs including the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association, the company later branched out to own the [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] from the late 1970s to late 1980s (though the company would later sell off the Tiger-Cats).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Business of Professional Sports|pages=203–204|editor1=Mangan, J. A.|editor2=Staudohar, Paul D.|publisher=University of Illinois Press|year=1991|isbn=0-252-06161-6}}</ref> On February 12, 1998, MLGL purchased the [[Toronto Raptors]] of the [[National Basketball Association]], who were constructing the then–Air Canada Centre. After MLGL acquired the Raptors, the company changed its name to MLSE.<ref name="namec" /> The company's portfolio has since expanded to include the [[Toronto FC]] of [[Major League Soccer]], the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, the [[Toronto Argonauts]] of the Canadian Football League, and a 37.5 percent stake in [[Maple Leaf Square]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/what-the-explaining-the-mlse-deal/wcm/c3ec6e49-f419-4415-8100-40e1126159b2|title=What the #!%*?: Explaining the MLSE deal|first=Sean|last=Fitz-Gerald|work=National Post |date=December 10, 2011|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref>

The present ownership structure emerged in 2012 after the [[Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan]] (the company's former principal owner) announced the sale of its 75 percent stake in MLSE to a consortium made up of telecommunications rivals Bell Canada and Rogers Communications, in a deal valued at [[Canadian dollar|$]]1.32&nbsp;billion.<ref name=sportsempire>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mapleleaf-rogers-bce-idUSTRE7B80VN20111209|title=Toronto sports empire sold to Rogers and BCE|first=Euan|last=Rocha|date=December 9, 2011|access-date=March 16, 2014|work=[[Reuters]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317082609/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/09/us-mapleleaf-rogers-bce-idUSTRE7B80VN20111209|archive-date=March 17, 2014}}</ref> As part of the sale, two [[numbered companies]] were created to jointly hold stock. This ownership structure ensures that, at the shareholder level, Rogers and Bell vote their overall 75 percent interest in the company together and thus decisions on the management of the company must be made by consensus between the two.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/rogers-bell-buy-majority-stake-in-mlse/wcm/6b550adc-44b3-4802-80c0-d96c2d0b3785|title=MLSE deal: What Rogers and Bell buyout means for fans|first=Sean|last=Fitz-Gerald|work=National Post |date=December 9, 2011|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> A portion of Bell's share in MLSE is owned by its pension fund, to make Bell's share in MLSE under 30 percent. This was done so that Bell could retain its existing 18 percent interest in the [[Montreal Canadiens]]; as NHL's conflict of interest rules prevent any shareholder that owns more than 30 percent of a team from holding an ownership position in another.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/bell-to-keep-canadiens-stake-1.997652|title=Bell to keep Canadiens stake|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=December 9, 2011|access-date=December 10, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926094640/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/bell-to-keep-canadiens-stake-1.997652|archive-date=September 26, 2013}}</ref> The remaining 25 percent is owned by [[Larry Tanenbaum]], who is also the chairman of MLSE.<ref name="sportsempire" />
{{chart top|width=100%|Ownership structure of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment}}
{{chart/start|align=center|}}
{{chart| | | | |MLSE | | | | |MLSE=[[Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment|MLSE]]<br />100%}}
{{chart| | | |,|-|^|-|-|-|.| }}
{{chart| | | ROGBELL | | | | KILMER | ROGBELL=Rogers/Bell holding company<br />75%|KILMER=Kilmer Sports<br />25%}}
{{chart| |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| }}
{{chart| ROGERS | | BELL | | LT | ROGERS=[[Rogers Communications]]<br />50%|BELL=Bell holding company<br />50%|LT=[[Larry Tanenbaum]]<br />100%}}
{{chart| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | }}
{{chart| | | BCE | | BMT | | | BCE=[[Bell Canada Enterprises]]<br />74.67%|BMT=BCE Master Trust Fund<br />25.33%}}
{{chart/end}}
{{chart bottom}}