NHL Board of Governors Elected Ted Leonsis as Chairman

The board voted unanimously to appoint Ted Leonsis to succeed long-time leader Jeremy Jacobs.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Hockey

NHL Board of Governors Elected Ted Leonsis as Chairman

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The NHL Board of Governors has elected Ted Leonsis as its 11th chairman, marking the end of a nearly 20-year tenure for outgoing leader Jeremy Jacobs. The unanimous vote took place at Peak Hudson Yards in New York.

Why it matters

The transition represents a significant change in league leadership as the NHL moves past the two-decade term of Jeremy Jacobs, who has guided the board since 2007. The appointment of Leonsis, a prominent sports and entertainment executive, signals a new era for the organization's governance.

Ted Leonsis, 69, becomes the 11th chairman of the NHL Board of Governors following the tenure of 86-year-old Jeremy Jacobs. The board, founded in 1925, conducted this election during their recent meeting at Peak Hudson Yards.

The players

Ted Leonsis

He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment and serves as the owner of the Washington Capitals.

Jeremy Jacobs

He is an 86-year-old executive who stepped down after serving nearly 20 years as the chairman of the NHL Board of Governors.

Murray Edwards

He is the owner of the Calgary Flames and has been appointed to serve as the new vice chairman of the NHL Board of Governors.

The details

The Board of Governors officially confirmed the transition during their convening in New York. Along with the appointment of Leonsis, the board named Calgary Flames owner Murray Edwards as the new vice chairman of the organization.

The NHL Board of Governors was founded in 1925.
Jeremy Jacobs was appointed as chairman in 2007.
The Board voted to elect Leonsis and Edwards on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

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Season Trajectory

This leadership change marks a departure from the long-standing stability established by the 2007 appointment of Jeremy Jacobs as chairman. The move signals a transition in the league's administrative direction as new executives take control of the board's governing strategy.

The transition to new leadership at the board level shifts the governance structure overseeing NHL franchise owners and league policy. This change establishes a new executive hierarchy that will influence future collective decision-making and administrative oversight across the league.

The takeaway

The appointment of a new chair highlights the importance of turnover in long-standing sports governance organizations. Readers interested in business leadership can observe how these shifts often mirror larger trends in franchise management and league-wide strategic priorities.