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A former media executive is taking over from Randy Ambrosie as commissioner of the Canadian Football League.
On Wednesday, the league announced that Stewart Johnston, who previously served as president of TSN and senior vice president of Bell Media, has been appointed as the 15th CFL commissioner, replacing Ambrosie, who held the role since 2017. Johnston is expected to take on the league’s top job starting on April 24.
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“I am deeply humbled and profoundly honoured by this incredible opportunity,” Johnston said in a statement.
The new commissioner said he was a fan long before he began his work with TSN and RDS, broadcasting the league’s games.
“Growing up, I sat with family and friends, watching the legends of the game,” Johnston said.
“I’ve loved working closely with this league, getting to know its stars and being a part of the most unforgettable celebration in Canadian sports – Grey Cup Week. To think that I will present that iconic trophy to this year’s winners in Winnipeg this November is a dream come true.”
The CFL described Johnston as “a seasoned and successful sports rights negotiator with intimate knowledge of content distribution strategies and key relationships across major distribution partners,” and said he revolutionized the process of media buying.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Stewart as our next Commissioner,” Scott Banda, who chairs the CFL’s board of governors, added in a statement.
“What he has built at Bell Media is nothing short of remarkable. His in-depth familiarity with sports business in Canada and his lengthy history of success in the media industry and as an executive, made him the ideal candidate for Commissioner.”
Banda also thanked Ambrosie for his years of hard work helping the league to grow.
“Over the past seven-and-a-half years, he laid an extremely solid foundation for our game and league. It is on that bedrock that we now entrust Stewart with the task of taking the CFL to new heights,” Banda said.
“It’s been wonderful to see how far the league has come, with special thanks to Randy’s stewardship,” Johnston added.
“But it’s the future that excites me. It’s what’s to come that inspires me. As we look ahead, our mission is clear: to grow the game of football, to enhance the entertainment experience for our fans, and to ensure the sustainability and success of our league for generations to come.”
