Randy Ambrosie announces he will retire in 2025

Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie announced Saturday he is retiring from the league after seven years in the top role.

Ambrosie said he will leave once the CFL board of directors hires a successor.

“My goal has always been to leave the league in a better state than I found it, and I am proud that the CFL has grown stronger over the past seven years,” Ambrosie said in a news release. “Being a commissioner is an enormous honor. It’s also a job that requires total dedication, seven days a week, almost 365 days a year.

“After more than seven years, I believe the time is right for a transition, once a successor has been appointed, and I will do everything in my power to help the next Commissioner achieve even more. Until then, it’s business as usual.”

Announced as the CFL’s 14th commissioner on July 5, 2017, Ambrosie is one of the longest-serving top executives in the league’s history.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Randy for his leadership and for giving us the best possible notice of his intention to retire. His willingness to remain until his successor is named will allow for a seamless and successful transition, likely sometime in 2025,” said Scott Banda, Chairman of the CFL Board of Directors.

“Randy has led the league through some very difficult challenges, including the pandemic and leadership changes at the team level. Taking on these challenges and building a stronger brand with growing fandom, a new digital marketing strategy, effective ownership and leadership across the league, and rule and procedural changes that have delivered fun, fast and entertaining football is a positive legacy indeed . Randy has laid the foundation for the league to move to the next level.”

Ambrosie, 61, was an offensive lineman in the CFL for nine seasons, playing for Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. The Winnipeg native also served as secretary of the CFL Players’ Association for two years.

“When I step aside sometime next year, I will do so with a deep sense of achievement, satisfaction and gratitude,” Ambrosie said. “I want to thank our governors, team presidents, players, coaches and staff, and our valued business partners. I especially want to thank our amazing fans from coast to coast, and especially my wonderful wife, Barb, and our smart and beautiful daughters, for their support.”