CPL commissioner steps down in pursuit of new expansion project

The Canadian Premier League (CPL) is saying a partial goodbye to its first commissioner.

On Monday, Commissioner David Clanachan announced his plans to step down from his league role as commission, saying he was awarded the rights for an expansion team in Windsor/Essex County.

At this point, an expansion team is not yet formal, and Clanachan will work to find a soccer-specific stadium and other necessary expansion criteria before the league can formally announce an expansion club.

“Windsor’s passionate sports community has always inspired me and fueled my love of soccer. It has been a dream of mine to bring professional soccer to the amazing people of Windsor /Essex County and I am looking forward to this next chapter and beginning the work necessary to bring a club to my hometown,” said Commissioner Clanachan, in a statement.

“After an exhilarating and rewarding four years as Canadian Premier League Commissioner, now is the right time for new leadership. We have built something truly special that has captured the imagination of soccer fans across the country. The CPL is now firmly established as a key pillar in Canada’s sports landscape and will be at the centre of soccer’s remarkable growth in the coming years. Having a successful club in Windsor will only make us stronger.”

Clanachan was appointed league commissioner in 2018. He oversaw the launch of the CPL and the expansion of Atletico Ottawa, which brought in international attention.


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“We want to thank Commissioner Clanachan for his dedication to this growing league, his leadership and vision that were instrumental in seeing our Atlético de Madrid group join as owners of the Atlético Ottawa franchise,” said Fernando López, Chief Executive Officer of Atlético Ottawa in a statement. “We look forward to building on the solid foundation he has established and continue developing professional soccer in Canada.”

The CPL has also planned an additional pair of expansions, one being awarded to Vancouver for 2023 with plans in the works for a club in Saskatoon.

Under Clanachan the CPL has seen the success of newly crowned champions Pacific FC, back-to-back and inaugural champions of Forge FC. The league has seen monumental achievements from Cavalry FC and Pacific FC who both defeated MLS’s Vancouver Whitecaps. And the international success of Forge FC, making it to the CONCACAF League semi-finals earning the CPL’s first-ever CONCACAF Champions league birth.

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