RICHARD
PEDDIE
BUILDER
SPORTS EXECUTIVE
CLASS OF 2021
Richard Peddie was a key shaper of professional sports in Toronto and is one of the most successful sports executives in recent memory.
Born in Windsor and a graduate of the University of Windsor. In 2001 he received an honorary doctorate.
Peddie held some of the highest offices in Canadian professional sport. He was president and CEO of SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) during the Blue Jays World Series glory in the early-1990s. He was instrumental in the efforts to land the expansion Toronto Raptors in the NBA.
In University at the age of 20, he wrote down in a journal that he wanted to run a basketball team. In 1996, 30 years later, Peddie was named as the President and CEO of the Toronto Rapters, fulfilling that dream. Peddie stood at the helm while sport flourished in Toronto and the Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment empire grew to become one of the most powerful sports conglomerates in the world.
Peddie has served on the board of Canadian Inter-University Sports (CIS) helping to raise the awareness and talent of Canadian university student athletes.
He authored two books, 21 Leadership Lessons – Successes, Failures, and Discoveries from a Life in Business and Sport and The Dream Job: My Wild Ride on the Corporate Side with the Leafs, The Raptors and TFC.
In retirement, Peddie has returned to the region, living in Amherstburg and operating a bookshop in town.
For his role as powerbroker, dealmaker and titan of the sports industry, the Windsor/Essex Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct Richard Peddie in the Builder category.