Dream Job: My Wild Ride On The Corporate Side With The Leafs, The Raptors And TFC

by Richard Peddie

The former head of one of the most successful franchises in the world takes readers into the boardrooms and dressing rooms of major league sports.

Millions of sports fans think they know how to run the home team better than the executive in charge of the operation. Such pressure is bound to teach a person a thing or two about leadership, humility and success. Richard Peddie, former president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), has clearly learned a few lessons during his years in the business, and now he shares them for the first time.

Dream Job takes readers behind the scenes at MLSE and into the world of Richard Peddie, the man Forbes magazine once called both "a bum," based on the Leafs' lacklustre performance, but also "a wizard" on the business side of professional sport. Entrepreneurs will be keen to learn how a working-class kid from Windsor who barely made it into university managed to reach the top of virtually every organization that ever hired him.

Along the way, Peddie tells stories from his inside vantage point: why the popcorn at Maple Leaf Gardens was always stale, the strange things that rock stars insisted on having backstage at the SkyDome, what it's like to be on the receiving end of death threats from a disgruntled fan, who were some of the quirkiest characters to have worn the Toronto Raptors uniform, and what happened the day it rained seat cushions at the Toronto Football Club's first home game. And, of course, he broaches the tricky business of hiring general managers and the awful business of firing them.

Hockey, basketball and soccer fans and anyone who aspires to lead will all take something away from this fascinating, insightful and hard-hitting book.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Canada

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2013

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading John Shannon’s book, this seemed like a logical next book to read. While I found the story of a career woven through a handful of industries very interesting, I often found myself thinking how lucky Richard was as well. Moving industries is not always an easy thing and getting the chance to do it requires some luck, some networking and a lot of hard work.
All that said, I did find his message of using vision and values encouraging. Refocusing at any point in your life or career is never a bad thing. Establishing the guideposts to steer your journey is a great idea as well.
All in this was a solid read about a period in time that I remember well. I lived through the results of a number of the decision that Richard made in his career.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the (ghostwritten) autobiography of the former president of MLSE. Unfortunately it doesn't get too much into that work, and he spends quite a bit of time talking about his earlier career (with Hostess, Pilsbury, and so on), and then spends a good part of the book on his business philosophy (including way too much time on company vision statements). I read it hoping to see more insight about the business side of MLSE, but this really didn't do it, and it wasn't worth the time reading. I also found it odd how he kept making a few shots at unions throughout the book, which was totally unnecessary to the overall structure (as a business executive it's clear he would not favour unions, so it just came off as odd).

[Avery Runstedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look into the highly successful journey of former Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Richard Peddie. His different methods of leadership and how he applies them to various organizations through changing roles. Learning about his use of meritocracy and transformative leadership with his staff members. Some highly relevant methods for application in my fourth year Leadership class at Brock University.

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One part memoir, one part business philosophy, “Dream Job” was an interesting look behind the curtain of the business side of SkyDome, TSN and, of course, MLSE. Some may get on Richard Peddie for not producing winners, but he laid the foundation of the rock solid organization that MLSE is today. Dream Job keeps the readers interest and is well organized by the different companies that Peddie lead. A good balance of sport and business.

[Alysha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peddie clearly has an interesting history and background with diverse experience in many companies, however the story was often repetitive, self fulfilling and egotistical. Chapter 11: Leadership 101 made this book worth it and it does make me appreciate the world of business in sport and his insight into leadership can inspire the reader to dream big and work hard towards their goals.

[H Wesselius · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a leaf fan I was hoping for more inside information on the team but as usual I was disappointed. Some interesting stuff on the Raptors but for the most part this is a rather banal business book with the usual mundane "secrets" of success.

[bruce davidson]

if you are a sports fan it is very interesting. any young person (20 - 25) in biz should read it.