Rogers Communications has proposed a $3.7 million tangible benefits package for the domestic broadcasting system as part of its takeover of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) posted a notice of consultation on Tuesday (Feb. 18) regarding Rogers’ application to assume control of Toronto Raptors Network Ltd. (TRNL), the licensee for discretionary channel NBA TV Canada. The application was received on Nov. 27, 2024.

The benefits package represents the minimum 10% tangible benefits required by the CRTC of the total proposed value for NBA TV Canada at $37.1 million.

Rogers has proposed 48% — or more than $1.7 million — of the tangible benefits package be put toward the Canada Media Fund and 32% (more than $1.1 million) sent to the Rogers Documentary and Cable Network Fund. The final 20%, or about $742,000, is proposed to support the diversity in sports initiative at the Toronto-based College of Sports Media, involving a $10,000 annual scholarship in sports production.

First announced in September 2024, Rogers’ $4.7 billion acquisition of BCE’s 37.5% ownership stake in MLSE is expected to close later this year. The larger transaction is not under CRTC regulation, according to the Commission’s notice.

The CRTC’s deadline for comments, interventions or answers on this proposal is March 18. The Commission said if the notice generates interventions “that raise substantive concerns … and warrant further discussion,” the CRTC may proceed with a public hearing.

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