But that excuse has long since passed. Allowing Rogers to continue to borrow the public airwaves was an increasingly ridiculous proposition, especially after the telecom and media giant started throwing more billions into professional sports, including its takeover of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, owner of the Leafs and Raptors. Rogers’ push into sports has also come as the CBC’s television audience has splintered. Far more hockey viewers are used to finding Sportsnet broadcasts on their platform of choice today — TV, computer, phone — than they were in 2013.