NEW YORK — After nearly 20 years in the position, Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is stepping down as the chairman of the NHL’s Board of Governors.
On Tuesday, after Jacobs officially announced his decision to the Board’s executive committee, the governors convened at Peak Hudson Yards voted unanimously for Ted Leonsis to succeed the 86-year-old in the role.
“Serving as Chairman of the NHL’s Board of Governors has been one of the greatest honours of my life, both professionally and personally,” said Jacobs in a release the league sent just after 2:00 p.m. ET. “I’m proud of what the Board of Governors and our Commissioner Gary Bettman have accomplished over the last two decades. We’ve reached landmark media rights deals, expanded to reach fans in new geographies of North America, and have put hockey on the world stage in new markets and with marquee events, all while prioritizing making the game safer for players and more fun and accessible for fans.”
“Looking forward, I can’t think of a better successor than Ted Leonsis, a highly regarded and accomplished owner on the forefront of innovation,” Jacobs added. “Ted is the right person to help chart a course for the future of hockey. Perhaps most importantly, Ted is a passionate hockey fan who greatly values the NHL’s ability to positively impact communities.”
Leonsis, 69, is founder, chairman, managing partner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Capitals. He becomes the league’s 11th chairman of the Board, which was founded in 1925. He will be backed up by Calgary Flames owner Murray Edwards, who was named vice chairman of the Board on Tuesday.
“Murray Edwards, who understands the game and complexities of the modern league as well as anyone, will be a great partner to Ted as he takes on the role of vice chair,” said Jacobs. “I look forward to serving on the Board of Governors under their leadership.”
Jacobs, who was appointed chairman in 2007, was the longest-serving chairman of the Board in NHL history.
Conn Smyth (Toronto) served as its first chairman from 1953-57. His successor, Walter Brown (Boston), served from 1957-64. Following that, no governor had served in that capacity for as long until Bill Wirtz (Chicago) was chairman from 1978-92.
Now it’s Leonsis’ turn.
“It is a tremendous honour to be elected Chairman of the NHL’s Board of Governors, and I’m grateful to my fellow owners for their trust,” said Leonsis in a statement released by the league. “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.”