LATEST STORIES:

Ex-CFL star, Ontario cabinet minister Lumsden in mix for Edmonton Elks president

Share this story...

The name of former CFL-star turned Ontario Cabinet Minister Neil Lumsden has surfaced as a potential president of the Edmonton Elks.

The Canadian Press says two sources have confirmed that Lumsden, who won three Grey Cups as a fullback with Edmonton, has emerged as a candidate for the Elk’s full-time president position.

The current minister of tourism, culture and sport has yet to confirm nor comment on the matter.

Lumsden, who is from London, Ont., is currently serving as Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. He was first elected to the riding of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek in June 2022.

The sources, including one in political circles, reportedly spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the fact that the Elks themselves have not divulged any details regarding their presidential search.

Both say that while Lumsden himself hasn’t petitioned for the job, nor been offered it, his emergence as a possible candidate makes sense given his association with the franchise as a player and having previously served as the general manager/director of business operations with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

READ MORE: Niagara Falls fans offered free transportation to Hamilton Grey Cup game

Lumsden also held the role of honorary chairman of the Vanier Cup in Hamilton in 2017 and spent three years as Brock University’s athletic director.

Lumsden played 10 CFL seasons during his professional football career with the Toronto Argonauts, Tiger-Cats and the Elks. During his time with Edmonton, he was named the top Canadian in the team’s Grey Cup win against Ottawa in 1981.

He appeared in a total of 141 career CFL games, rushing for 3,755 yards and 36 TDs on 767 carries while adding 180 catches for 1,729 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Lumsden would be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

The Elks have held a long and storied tenure with the CFL, but hasn’t reached the league playoffs since 2019 when it lost to the Ti-Cats in the conference final.

The role of interim president/CEO has been held by Rick LeLaucheur since the Elks and its former president parted ways in August. LeLacheur previously served as Edmonton’s president/CEO from 2002-2011, winning two Grey Cups.

READ MORE: Canadian Sport Institute Ontario launches new training centre in Milton