Chris Wilson named Interim Head of CBC Sports
TORONTO – CBC Sports chief Greg Stremlaw (right) is leaving the CBC this month to become the president and CEO of United Soccer League club Indy Eleven.
A CBC story says that Stremlaw's arrival in Indianapolis coincides with the club's proposal for a $550 million US mixed-use real estate district, a development project called Eleven Park anchored by a 20,000-seat world-class, soccer-specific stadium that meets the minimum requirement by Major League Soccer and is scheduled to be ready for the 2022 season opener.
Stremlaw says that he hopes to help bring a Major League Soccer expansion franchise to Indianapolis.
"I have a ton of confidence in the team, have done a lot of background work and think there is a lot of potential with the franchise," said Stremlaw in the story, noting that the move also "makes a lot of sense" for his family.
“I have come to know Greg through the shared approach CBC and Radio-Canada have for our Olympic Games coverage", said Michel Bissonnette, interim CBC executive vice president, in a memo to employees on January 8. "He is the consummate professional, a great colleague and has done so much for the organization since joining the CBC as the Head of CBC Sports in 2015, most notably developing a new Sports and Olympic strategy.”
Stremlaw was CEO of Curling Canada before taking this job at the CBC.
He was formally appointed as the general manager, Olympics and chef de mission for CBC and Radio-Canada for the 2016 and 2018 Olympic Games. He went on to play a key role in the successful negotiations for the rights to the 2022 and 2024 Olympic Games, added Bissonnette.
He also oversaw the CBC’s Road to the Olympic Games, the push to brand CBC as Canada's Paralympic Network, developed a strategic plan for CBC's Women in Sport initiative, and has been the lead for CBC in all Hockey Night in Canada operations, working with Rogers Media.
On Tuesday, Bissonnette announced Chris Wilson as interim head of sports. Currently a senior director with CBC Sports, Wilson joined the Corp last September after nine years as marketing director for Swimming Canada.
François Messier, who has been GM productions for Radio-Canada for four years, was named Chef de Mission for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
