Maple Leaf Rag to its publication, Joplin anticipated that the piece would be a success—he told Arthur Marshall that "The Maple Leaf will make me the king of ragtime composers". The exact circumstances which led to publication of the "Maple Leaf Rag" are unknown, and there are versions of the event which contradict each other. After approaching several publishers, Joplin signed a contract with John Stillwell Stark on August 10, 1899 for a $0.01 royalty on all sales of the rag, with a minimum sales price of $0.25. The "Maple Leaf Rag" was published between August 10 and September 20, 1899, when the
Maple Leaf Square on the side of Maple Leaf Square was renovated. The renovations included an atrium addition to the west side of the arena which abuts the plaza. The outside wall of the atrium features a 50 by video screen overlooking the plaza which was inspired by similar plazas at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, and Victory Park in Dallas. Games going on inside the arena are often displayed live on the outdoor screen. The public square holds special outdoor viewings of playoff games by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors. Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, who owns both franchises, puts