Morreale Named RedBlacks President

The Ottawa REDBLACKS today announced the appointment of Mike Morreale as President of the football club. Morreale brings extensive CFL experience and a proven track record of building and leading a professional sports organization.

Morreale’s focus will be on building a championship-calibre team and restoring the sense of pride, connection, and excitement the club wants to inspire across Ottawa and RNation.

“Our fans have every right to expect much more from the REDBLACKS than we have delivered,” said Mark Goudie, President and CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG). “Mike has two clear jobs: build a football organization capable of competing for championships and reconnect this team with Ottawa. When this club was at its best, this city felt part of it. We need to earn that back.”

Morreale brings a unique combination of football credibility and executive leadership experience. He played 12 seasons in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, earning multiple CFL awards and winning two Grey Cups. Including his playing career, he spent more than 17 years with the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA), serving as a player representative, Director of Marketing and later President, working closely with players, league leadership and other stakeholders across the game.

Most recently, Morreale co-founded the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and served as its Commissioner, building the league from the ground up into a national professional sports property. His experience building a sports business and navigating the demands of professional sport will be central to his role with the REDBLACKS.

“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity, and I understand the responsibility that comes with it,” said Morreale. “This is about more than building a team that can win. It’s about building an organization that can compete for championships and give people in Ottawa a reason to feel connected to and proud of the REDBLACKS. I know there is work ahead, and my focus will be on making the decisions needed to build that kind of organization that leads to success on and off the field.”

Beginning immediately, Morreale will lead a review of Football Operations, establish the club’s permanent football leadership structure and strengthen its approach to identifying, recruiting and developing players. He will also lead the development of a longer-term football and business plan to guide the club’s priorities and establish a clear path forward.

“I understand why our fans are frustrated, and they should be,” said Goudie. “They have continued to support this team through too many disappointing seasons. We are not asking anyone to believe things will be different simply because we say they will be. We know we have to show them. Hiring Mike is an important step, but it is only the beginning of that work.”

(OSEG Communications)