Edmonton Elks Create Committee to Review Ownership Structure, Ensure Future
The Edmonton Elks are taking steps to ensure the team's future in Northern Alberta by announcing the creation of a special committee to conduct a review of the ownership structure.
The Edmonton Football Club Board of Directors is spearheading the move for a franchise that has dealt financial struggles. The committee of five was approved by the board last week.
The committee includes current board members Tom Richards, Brent Hesje, and Darryl Boessenkool as well as previous Board members Diane Brickner and Bruce Bentley, who serves as chair of the committee
Special committee created to review Edmonton Elks ownership structure
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) November 23, 2023
A five-person group will make recommendations to the Club's Board of Directors to ensure professional football continues to thrive in Northern Alberta
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Current interim president and CEO Rick LeLacheur spoke Thursday in a news conference discussing the situation. LeLacheur serves as a non-voting member as he released a statement prior to the news conference regarding the understanding of their financial struggles, but optimism for the future.
“The club’s financial struggles over the last several seasons can’t be overlooked. The impacts of the COVID pandemic, football operations decisions and subsequent struggles on the field have all contributed to a difficult financial situation,” LeLacheur said.
“We’re confident in our ability to operate in 2024 thanks to our trust fund, strong season seat renewals, and the support of our sponsors and fans. We will, however, need new investment before the end of next season to ensure the club is positioned to succeed for years to come.”
The committee will take time to review and bring a recommendation to the board. No timeline has been made for when the recommendation will be made or when the next steps will be taken.
The Elks were 4-14 this past season.
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.