Anselmi was named President of MLSE after an eight-month search, while also continuing to hold his position of COO.[3] However, Anselmi did not receive the title of CEO position that he sought [6] when he was promoted.[3]
Anselmi's tenure as President ended on June 30, 2013, when Tim Leiweke was hired as President and CEO of MLSE, though Anselmi still retained the title of COO. Anselmi kept his office as COO when Leiweke reshuffled the senior management team on July 24, 2013.[7]
Anselmi resigned from MLSE on September 13, 2013. Anselmi's position had been weakened since he was the top executive in charge of Toronto F.C., which despite being successful financially, had never made the MLS playoffs.[8]
Reputation
Anselmi is "well noted" for his arena, real estate and broadcast projects since joining the company in 1996.[9] MLSE Chairman Larry Tanenbaum stated "Tom's proven strength in operations has made him a respected leader here at MLSE and across the sports and entertainment industry."[2] He was credited with having the Air Canada Centre completed on budget and on time. He was also known as a "down-to-earth operator who preferred blue jeans to suits and favoured snowmobiling over more rarefied pursuits".[10]
Ottawa Senators
On January 25, 2017, Anselmi joined the Ottawa Senators organization. The Senators won the right in 2016 to build a new arena on federal land in downtown Ottawa, and one of Anselmi's highest priorities was to oversee the negotiations and the construction of the new arena. Anselmi submitted his resignation to the Senators in early January 2018, and the club announced his departure February 9, 2018.[11]
He is a member of the board of directors of Covenant House,[12] and Canada's Walk Of Fame.[13] Previously, he was a Vice-Chair of the Toronto Board of Trade.[14]