Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment announced on Thursday that Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC President Bill Manning have mutually agreed to part ways effective immediately.
Manning had been the President of the Toronto Argonauts since MLSE acquired them on January 18, 2018. In addition to his Argonauts duties, Manning was also the President of Toronto FC (MLS) since 2015.
“On behalf of MLSE’s Board of Directors and the entire organization, we want to thank Bill for his many contributions in his nearly nine years with the company,” said MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley.
Under his tenure, the Argonauts record was 46-44, winning the East Division three times and winning the 109th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2022. This season, the Argonauts are 2-2. After Toronto went 4-14, he fired head coach Marc Trestman and hired Corey Chamblin. However, the Argonauts went 4-14 again and he was let go after the season.
Despite the cancellation of the 2020 season, Manning hired Calgary Stampeders quarterback coach Ryan Dinwiddie as the new head coach. The team turned its season around in his first year winning the Grey Cup. Since becoming head coach, Dinwiddie’s record is 29-11 including the four games played this season.
“Bill will always be an important part of the championship history for both clubs, but as we evaluate the path ahead, and measure against our ambition to consistently deliver contending teams, it was determined that a new direction was required. Bill is a very accomplished team executive, and a good man, and we wish him and his family the very best in the future.”
Recently, the Argonauts have been in hot water in regards to the handling of the Chad Kelly situation. Kelly was suspended by the CFL for nine games for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy that was conducted by a third-party investigation team.
As part of the change, Toronto Argonauts GM Michael “Pinball” Clemens will report to Keith Pelley, who was named the fifth President and CEO of MLSE on January 11, 2024.
