Mitchell Blair
Jim Hopson’s legacy as president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders has already been established. The 63-year-old assumed the position in 2005 and when he took over he said he wanted to make the Riders the type of franchise that the Edmonton Eskimos were in the 1980’s. He made no secret he wanted his team to be the elite franchise in the league and be the team others looked to. He has accomplished that. Under Hopson’s watch, the Riders have won two Grey Cups and have played in two more while making the team the envy of others not only in the CFL, but perhaps North America.
While a new stadium is being built and the team has secured the fact Head Coach Corey Chamblin and General Manager Brendan Taman will be there when the ribbon is cut, Hopson has let it be known it’s his time to ride off into the sunset. On Monday afternoon, the team extended Hopson’s deal for one more season when he will then step aside allowing someone else to have the monstrous task of keeping this football club where it is.
“I thought long and hard about this decision and selfishly I wanted to be the President in 2017 when we move into the new facility and be a part of that experience,” Hopson stated Monday afternoon. “However, I looked at it pragmatically and I looked at what would be best for the organization. At some point you have to go and I feel very good about where we are with the organization and where we are with the stadium project. I didn’t want to make a four year commitment or one that is longer so I thought this is the time for the new person to get their feet wet, understand the Riders and help the move into the new stadium. I have questioned myself and will continue to do that until my last day but in the end this is what’s best for me and what’s best for the club.”
Board of governors chair Roger Brandvold says conversations with Hopson over the past few months have been very difficult as they work on the transition to the new stadium.
“This started about a year ago and we’ve spent a lot of time looking at the future of this team and where we want to be.” Brandvold said. “It’s been a difficult conversation and not difficult in the sense that Jim was being difficult, but we had to understand what the future holds and what role does everyone play and can the next individual carry the mission through because the transition to the new stadium is a very significant one and its one Jim felt maybe would not fit into his schedule. Thus, we needed a transition plan which is why we are here today. This is more from moving one fan from this seat to the next. It’s a huge challenge.”
Brandvold says replacing Hopson will also be a huge challenge, but it’s a job that many inside Saskatchewan and outside as well should find to be a very attractive position.
“I expect this will attract significant individuals across Canada and maybe even into the United States,” Brandvold told reporters. “It’s a high profile position and it’s a tremendous opportunity not just for whoever comes in, but for the organization.”
Brandvold also stresses that unlike Hopson, who had a solid football background behind him when he assumed the position having been a former member of the team before taking a position in education, the successor doesn’t necessarily need to have a football background.
“I don’t think that’s a critical piece,” Brandvold said. “I think it’s important we have a very strong business decision-maker, a good leader, and someone who allows people to grow which is one of the big strengths Jim brought to the job. At the end of the day, if the individual has a football background then why wouldn’t we put him in there, but he certainly doesn’t have to be.”
As Hopson saddles up to begin what will be a long ride into the sunset, he has some thoughts on what his replacement may need even though that replacement won’t be taking office until the end of the 2015 season.
“My day-to-day on the football side is asking questions and keeping up to date and so on and not trying to be the lead football guy, “Hopson said. “I think it’s important the next CEO does the same. They will have a key role to play, but they shouldn’t think he will be hands on when it comes to the football side.”
Who Hopson’s replacement will be is impossible to predict at this time, but it is safe to say that person will have a major task in front of him in trying to fill the shoes of the man who has been a big part of the turnaround the football club has had over the last decade.
