Owner of Blue Jays dies at 75

Quote:

TORONTO -- Ted Rogers, owner of the Toronto Blue Jays, died at his home on Tuesday. He was 75.

The founder of Rogers Communications Inc., Canada's largest cable television and mobile phone company, was treated in October for an existing heart condition, the company said Tuesday.

Rogers Communications owns the Blue Jays and their home at the Rogers Centre, several television stations and an array of other media properties including Maclean's and Chatelaine magazines.

"Ted Rogers was one of a kind who built this company from one FM radio station into Canada's largest wireless, cable and media company," said Rogers Communications chairman and acting chief executive officer Alan Horn.

Rogers, one of Canada's wealthiest people, earlier handed over his corporate duties to Horn.

Rogers bought the Blue Jays in 2000. This year, he arranged for the Buffalo Bills to play eight games over five years in Toronto.

After making an early investment in wireless technology, his company eventually became Canada's largest cell phone company. Rogers Communications is worth about $18 billion and has 24,000 employees.

In 1991, Rogers was chosen an officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's top honors.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta, and four children.

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