September 10, 2023

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be sold anytime soon.

The Intercounty Baseball League franchise that began operations in 1969 has drawn a significant number of queries to buy the team from the estate of the late team owner Jack Dominico.

And now, it's down to crunch time and serious offers have been carefully considered and a lot of weeding has been done since the club was officially put up for sale in July.

One insider close to the Leafs said an initial group of about 40 interested parties was "whittled'' down to six and then one of them dropped out.

"So there are five left. Wednesday was the last day to submit an offer,'' a source told this writer.

The final decision on who gets to buy the team will be made by Leafs president Ty Crawford, who is the estate trustee, although he hired a marketing firm called Cosmos Sports and Entertainment to handle the sale.

Crawford and Cary Kaplan of Cosmos Sports have stipulated in interviews that any new owner must keep the team at Christie Pits in midtown Toronto. It's an undesirable location because there is no paid admission permitted.

The Leafs just completed their 55th season, losing out to the Welland Jackfish in semi-final action Thursday night.