Jim Lawson (sports executive)
James J. (Jim) Lawson is Chair of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Football League, a businessman and lawyer.[1]
His father, Mel Lawson, was a quarterback for the Hamilton Flying Wildcats leading them to a victory at the 31st Grey Cup championship game in 1943,[1] becoming the youngest quarterback to win the Grey Cup.[2]
Jim Lawson is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Western Ontario and signed with the Montreal Canadiens in his youth, playing for two seasons with their affiliated American Hockey League team, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, before being released.[1]
Lawson was appointed CFL board chair in 2013 and served as interim Commissioner of the Canadian Football League from January to April 2015 following the departure of Mark Cohon and until the hiring of Jeffrey Orridge.[3]
He is also chairman of the board of Woodbine Entertainment Group, Canada's largest racetrack operator and chairman of the Jockey Club of Canada.[1]
A lawyer by profession, he has been partner at Torys LLP and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. [1] He has served as a director of Algoma Steel, Zargon Energy Trust, Countryside Power Income Fund, Sleep Country Canada.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jim Lawson appointed Chair of the Board of Governors". Canadian Football League (press release). September 16, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ↑ "Lawson heads parade into horse racing hall". Toronto Star. August 18, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ↑ "CFL names Jeffrey Orridge as new commissioner". Toronto Star. March 17, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mark Cohon |
Canadian Football League commissioner 2015-present (interim) |
Succeeded by Jeffrey Orridge (effective April 29, 2015) |