The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that yesterday, family-controlled Rogers Communications announced the purchase of Larry Tanenbaum's 25-per-cent stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment for $4.35-billion. The Globe's Andrew Willis writes that chief executive officer Tony Staffieri called the transaction "a defining moment for Rogers." Rogers now has a hammerlock on sports in the country's largest city, as sole owner of the NHL's Maple Leafs, NBA's Raptors, MLS's Toronto FC and CFL's Argonauts, along with baseball's Blue Jays and the Sportnet network that broadcasts what advertisers consider the only remaining must-see TV. Rogers is welcoming minority investors into a sports and media platform that Rogers values at $25-billion. Mr. Staffieri has been fielding inquiries from a long list of potential partners, including billionaires, private equity managers and sovereign funds. Over the last two years, sports valuations continued to soar because of rising broadcast fees. The telcos have struggled to win over investors for the past two years as the cellphone market sags. Buying full control of MLSE, then selling stakes in its sports business with sky-high valuations, could win back fans at Rogers.