The Toronto Maple Leafs frequently dominate their local sports landscape, sucking the air out of the room and hogging the media spotlight. During a press conference on Tuesday, however, the Toronto Argonauts briefly cut through the noise for a rare moment in the sun.
Keith Pelley, the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), spoke to reporters to address the firing of Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving. When questioned about how he manages his workload overseeing MLSE’s four main franchises, Pelley touched on the current status of the Raptors, Toronto FC, and the Argonauts.
“The Argos with (general manager) Michael Clemons and (head coach) Mike Miller — Mike Miller is just spectacular as a head coach,” Pelley told the media. “He’s a phenomenal cultural guy and I have high hopes for the Argos this year.”
Miller was promoted to the head coaching role after Ryan Dinwiddie left the organization to become the head coach and general manager of the Ottawa Redblacks and Mike O’Shea elected to remain in Winnipeg.
The native of Pittsburgh, Pa. spent the past four seasons as Toronto’s quarterbacks coach, helping Chad Kelly win Most Outstanding Player in 2023. The team also won the Grey Cup in 2022 and 2024.
Miller believes Kelly can regain his M.O.P. form and recently reiterated that Kelly will be ready for the start of training camp after missing all of last season due to a fractured leg.
The Argonauts struggled in Kelly’s absence, finishing third in the East Division standings at 5-13 and missing the postseason for the first time since 2019.
Pelley indicated he has no desire to be involved in the day-to-day operations of MLSE’s teams, focusing instead on building the correct organizational structure and hiring the right people. The buck ultimately stops with him, however, as he accepted accountability for the performance of MLSE’s teams.
“I think I bear all the responsibility,” said Pelley. “The definition of success for my role is about wins and losses — wins and losses with the Toronto Raptors, TFC, the Toronto Argonauts, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, so I accept the responsibility.”
The Maple Leafs are expected to miss the NHL playoffs at 32-30-13, while the Raptors are currently the fifth-seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings at 42-32. Toronto FC is off to a 2-2-1 start this season as they look to reach the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2020.
After a poor 2025, the Argonauts are hoping to get back to the postseason, too. Though he’s clearly at arm’s length with their day-to-day operations, Pelley seems bullish the team will do just that.
The Toronto Argonauts added several key free agents this winter, including offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley, defensive lineman DeWayne Hendrix, strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett, and defensive back DaShaun Amos. The team’s key losses included receiver Dejon Brissett (Calgary Stampeders) and linebacker Wynton McManis (Hamilton Tiger-Cats).
The Argonauts hold the second overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Toronto will play its first preseason game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, May 23, then its first regular-season game against the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, June 12.
In 2025, Toronto finished third in the East Division standings with a 5-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Mike Miller was promoted to the role of head coach following the departure of Ryan Dinwiddie.
