{allcanada} Riders to announce Hopson extension

 

In the midst of all the speculation regarding who may be replacing Ken Miller as head coach in Saskatchewan, look for the Roughriders to announce a multi-year extension for President/Chief Executive Officer Jim Hopson in the coming days, sportsnet.ca has learned.

Hopson, who joined the club in 2005 as its first day-to-day president, has been instrumental in the incredible success the Roughriders have become on and off the field.

The onetime Roughriders offensive lineman from 1973-76 has led the team to three Grey Cup appearances in the last four years, including a win in 2007. He has been the centerpiece in the Roughriders' successful turnaround into one of the greatest current sports franchises in Canada, including selling the third-most merchandise of all teams in the country and establishing annual record profit levels.

The team had been on the verge of bankruptcy in 1997, but is now on solid financial footing.

The announcement will be the second major one for a Canadian Football League franchise. Earlier this week Ted Hellard resigned as managing partner and former club president of the Calgary Stampeders, cutting ties completely with the franchise he helped rescue with local business interests six years ago after the franchise had fallen into disarray.

Hellard led the team to a Grey Cup win in 2008 and was a key architect in the CFL's salary management system that includes a hard cap.

Elsewhere, the Montreal Alouettes will at some point early next year find the replacement for outgoing longtime president/chief executive officer Larry Smith, who is resigning effective December 31 after 12 years with the team.

The Als have also been another huge success story, winning three Grey Cups in seven appearances since 2000, including back-to-back championships this year and last. The Als regularly sell out there and have attracted crowds of 60,000 for playoff games at the Big Owe, their former home until a permanent shift starting in 1998.

Smith worked tirelessly in partnerships and sponsorships for the Als under owner Robert Wetenhall and spearheaded the renovation of the Als' homefield at Molson Stadium.

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