Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has picked John Cassaday to become Tim Leiweke's successor as president and CEO.

There will be final discussions to approve Cassady next week.

Larry Tanenbaum, MLSE’s chairman, said, “We’re close,” when asked if the search was nearing its end.

Cassaday, who recently retired as president and CEO of Corus Entertainment, has long been rumored the likely choice to succeed Leiweke.