Canadian businessman Richard Peddie is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) with an estimated net worth of $1 billion. He served in the position for twelve years until he retired in 2012. He was responsible in overseeing all business and team operations related to the Maple Leafs, the Raptors, Toronto FC and the Marlies as well as the operations of the Air Canada Centre and the organization’s two television channels and Maple Leaf Square.

Richard A. Peddie was born in January 1947 and a native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He graduated from the University of Windsor in 1970 and has received an honorary doctorate from the institution in 2001.

While at MLSE, Mr. Peddie led the company to be the most successful National Hockey League business ever. As the CEO, he has grown the firm into a $1.5 billion franchise. The Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team is worth $448 million alone as of 2008 and is considered the most valuable franchise in the NHL.

In July 2006, Peddie made the headlines when he lowered the cost of the NHL ticket. He also implied that the executives within the MLSE were hungry of money. He claimed that as the CEO, the most important part of his tenure is to satisfy the fans, improve facilities, and grow the franchise.