Toronto Argonauts Incoming Ownership Group Names Michael Copeland President and Ceo of the Argos
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Subscribe Share Past Issues Translate Michael Copeland Named President and CEO of the Argos View this email in your browser FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2015 TORONTO ARGONAUTS INCOMING OWNERSHIP GROUP NAMES MICHAEL COPELAND PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ARGOS Canadian Football League executive to lead Argos beginning January 1, 2016 TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts incoming ownership group today announced that Michael Copeland will become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club after Bell Canada and Kilmer Group assume control of the team at the end of this year. "Michael Copeland is a standout senior executive with a clear passion for Canadian football, and we’re delighted that he will lead the new Toronto Argonauts organization forward in 2016. Michael’s impressive range of crossfunctional business skills and experience, proven by his strong track record of success at the Canadian Football League, are exactly what we wanted in the Argos’ new front office leader,” said Dale Lastman, representative for the new ownership group and an Alternate Governor of the CFL. Chris Rudge, currently Executive Chairman and CEO of the Argos, will depart the organization as planned when his contract concludes at the end of 2015. "We’re grateful that such a renowned sports leader will continue to guide the Argos organization through the 2015 season. We thank Chris for his dedication to Toronto’s team and to the Canadian game,” said Mr. Lastman. “Michael Copeland is an excellent choice to continue moving the Argos forward,” said Chris Rudge. “Following contract extensions for Jim Barker and Scott Milanovich, the move to BMO Field, a new practice facility and a new ownership group, this storied franchise is now in a position to resume its historic role amongst the most respected and successful brands in the Canadian sport pantheon.“ "Michael Copeland has provided positive leadership to our league. Working alongside three Commissioners, he has played an instrumental role in advances ranging from the salary cap to broadcast agreements to player relations and, most recently, a new direction for the Canadian Football Hall of Fame," said Jeffrey L. Orridge, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League. "Although we will miss him in our office, we are absolutely thrilled he is taking on a new role with the Argonauts. Our league is only as strong as our teams. And with the Argos embracing a new home and new owners, combined with new leadership in the person of Mike Copeland, their future, and the future of the CFL, is that much brighter." Said Michael Copeland: “It’s a great honour to be named as the next chief executive of the legendary Toronto Argonauts, a name that resounds across the Canadian sports landscape. There’s strong leadership and talent on the field and across the organization, and I’m eager to join with everyone in taking the Argos forward. We’re fully dedicated to delivering fans the greatest football experience at every level, supporting their passion for the iconic Argos brand every day as we focus on winning the Grey Cup every year.” A seasoned Canadian business executive with an extensive business development, marketing and legal background, Mr. Copeland currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Football League responsible for all of the CFL’s business operations. Hired in January 2006 as Chief Operating Officer and promoted to President and COO in February 2013, Mr. Copeland led several key CFL initiatives including a comprehensive new broadcast and digital rights agreement, the establishment of a new salary cap system, a new collective bargaining agreement with CFL players, including the introduction of the CFL's first drug testing policy, and the return of CFL football to Ottawa. Previously, Mr. Copeland served in senior marketing and strategic business development roles with Molson Coors Brewing Company and in senior consultant roles with Boston Consulting Group and Deloitte Consulting. He earlier practiced corporate and commercial law with Blake, Cassels & Graydon in Toronto and with Harrison, Elwood in London, Ontario. Mr. Copeland has a law degree from Western University and an MBA from Western University's Ivey School of Business. He is a recipient of the prestigious Canada's Top 40 Under 40 award, and serves on the board of WATERFRONToronto. About the Toronto Argonauts The Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, celebrating their 142nd anniversary in 2015. As Toronto's #1 community team through player involvement and community programs, the Toronto Argonauts, a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL), have 16 Grey Cup championships to their credit. For 2015 season ticket and group sales packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341ARGO. For more information on the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, please visit argonauts.ca. Bell Canada and the Kilmer Group have entered into an agreement to acquire the Toronto Argonauts with a target closing date of December 31, 2015. About Kilmer For over 40 years the Kilmer Group, owned by Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum, has been helping to build Canadian businesses through longterm funding and leadership. This has included areas as diverse as heavy construction, building products, cable television, publishing, electronics manufacturing, food processing, sports, clinical research organizations, environmental rehabilitation, and infrastructure development. Current infrastructure projects include the development of the Pan Am Athletes' Village in partnership with DREAM, and the design, build, and operation of the ONroute Ontario Highway Service Centres with partners HMS Host and Canadian Tire. For more information, please visit www.kilmergroup.com About Bell Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home phone and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home, and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca. The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and antistigma campaigns, like Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Eric Holmes Toronto Argonauts Football Club Director, Communications C: 416.670.0521 O: 416.341.2733 E: [email protected] Facebook Twitter Argonauts.ca Email Instagram Copyright © 2015 Toronto Argonauts Football Club, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 212 King Street West (Suite 501) Toronto, Ontario M5H 1K5 unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences .