(Toronto) Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays, has signed a five-year contract renewal, Rogers Communications announced Friday.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
This extension follows the Blue Jays’ first World Series appearance since 1993.
The Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Shapiro, 58, was named president and CEO of the Blue Jays after the 2015 season, succeeding Paul Beeston, who was retiring.
Shapiro spent 24 seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, including the last five as team president.
Ross Atkins, who worked with Shapiro in Cleveland, was hired as the Blue Jays’ general manager in December 2015. Atkins signed a contract through the 2026 season.
“The opportunity to lead the Blue Jays organization for the past ten years has been incredibly rewarding,” Shapiro said in a statement.
“Together, we have built an organization of people who care deeply about baseball and are incredibly proud to be part of Team Canada. I am grateful and honored to be able to continue this work.”
Shapiro and Atkins led the Blue Jays to an American League Championship Series appearance in 2016. Toronto struggled the following year and hit rock bottom in 2018 and 2019 as the team began to rebuild around young players like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The process began to pay dividends during the 2020 season, which was shortened due to the pandemic. The Blue Jays returned to the postseason that year, but were defeated in the first round.
Shapiro signed a five-year contract extension in January 2021. The Blue Jays narrowly missed the playoffs that year and were eliminated in the first round in 2022, and again in 2023.
The Blue Jays finished last in the East Division standings in 2024 before rebounding with a 94-win campaign in 2025. Toronto won the East Division title and enjoyed home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“Mark’s exceptional leadership has been a driving force behind the Blue Jays’ success, and we are excited for him to continue to lead our team and build on his incredible momentum,” said Edward Rogers, president of the Toronto Blue Jays and executive chairman of Rogers Communications.
“As the proud owners of Team Canada, we are excited to work with Mark and his team to provide them with the tools and resources needed to bring World Series championships back to Canada. »
This extension comes during a very active off-season for the Blue Jays, who this week signed right-handed pitcher Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract. They also signed ace pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $200 million contract.
Off the field, Shapiro helped lead the Rogers Center renovation, a $300 million, multi-year project. Changes to the stadium include raising the pitchers’ bullpens, upgrading the seating, a new outfield wall and more bars and restaurants.
He also oversaw a major renovation of the Blue Jays’ spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida. This center is now considered one of the best in the Major Leagues.
The Guardians (then called the Indians) reached the playoffs eight times during Shapiro’s reign, including two World Series appearances.
Following the 2005 and 2007 seasons, Shapiro was named Sporting News General Manager of the Year.
Shapiro began his career in Cleveland in 1992 as a baseball operations assistant. Originally from Baltimore, he graduated in history from Princeton University in 1989.
