Dumping Leeder is a classless move by Melnyk but we have come to expect that of him.  He could have kept Leeder on and hired the new guy to lead the development of the new arena at Lebreton Flats if he thought that necessary.
Leeder was one of those responsible for getting the franchise in the first place and has been a loyal foot soldier for 25 years.  Not to mention that he led the campaign to find Melnyk a new liver when Melnyk was near death from liver disease.  It can be argued that Leeder saved Melnyk's life and this is his reward.
Classless is perhaps too mild a word.