Toronto Blue Jays renew president and CEO Mark Shapiro on five-year contract

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have renewed president and chief executive officer Mark Shapiro’s contract for five years, the team announced Friday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The extension comes on the heels of the Blue Jays’ first appearance in the World Series since 1993.

Toronto defeated the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and beat the Seattle Mariners in the AL Championship Series before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic.

Shapiro, 58, was named president and CEO of the Blue Jays after the 2015 season, succeeding the retiring Paul Beeston. Shapiro had spent 24 seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, including the last five years as team president.

Ross Atkins, who worked under Shapiro in Cleveland, was hired as Blue Jays general manager in December 2015. Atkins is signed through the 2026 campaign.

“The opportunity to lead the Blue Jays organization over the past 10 years has been incredibly fulfilling,” Shapiro said in a release. “Together we have built an organization with people who care deeply about baseball and take immense pride in being Canada’s team. I am grateful and honoured to be able to continue that work.”

Shapiro and Atkins guided the Blue Jays to an ALCS appearance in 2016. Toronto struggled the next year and bottomed out in ’18 and ’19 as the team started to rebuild around young players like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The process started to bear fruit in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The Blue Jays returned to the playoffs that year but were swept in the wild-card series.

Shapiro signed a five-year contract extension in January 2021. Toronto just missed the playoffs that year and was swept in the first round in ’22 and again in ’23.

The Blue Jays finished last in the East Division standings in ’24 before rebounding with a 94-win campaign in ’25. Toronto won the East title and had home-field advantage through the post-season.

“Mark’s exceptional leadership has been a driving force behind the Blue Jays’ success, and we’re thrilled he will continue to lead our team and build on their incredible momentum,” said Edward Rogers, chair of the Toronto Blue Jays and executive chair of Rogers Communications. “As proud owners of Canada’s team, we are excited to work with Mark and his team to give them the tools and resources they need to bring World Series championships back to Canada.”

The extension comes during an active off-season for the Blue Jays, who this week signed right-handed pitcher Cody Ponce to a three-year, US$30-million contract and committed seven years and US$200 million to ace Dylan Cease.

Off the field, Shapiro helped guide a multi-year $300-million renovation to Rogers Centre. The stadium changes included raised bullpens, section seating upgrades, a new outfield wall and more bar and food options.

He also oversaw a massive renovation at the Blue Jays’ spring training headquarters in Dunedin, Fla. The facility 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 tenure, including two World Series appearances.

Following the 2005 and 2007 seasons, Shapiro was named the Sporting News executive of the year.

Shapiro began his career with the Cleveland franchise in 1992 as an assistant in baseball operations. The Baltimore native graduated from Princeton University in 1989 with a history degree.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2025.