Copeland appointed as new Woodbine CEO
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine Entertainment’s board of directors has announced the appointment of sports and business leader Michael Copeland as chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1.
Copeland, who is currently Woodbine Entertainment’s commercial president, joined the company in 2021 after holding various leadership roles in sports and entertainment, including president and CEO of the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts from 2015-18 and president of the CFL’s head office from 2006-15. He has a law degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from Western’s Ivey School of Business.
Copeland inherits the roll from Jim Lawson, who announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down from his post this fall.
“We are thrilled to have a business leader of Michael’s caliber to take on this role and lead our organization during a transformative time that is full of opportunity for Woodbine and the horse racing industry,” said Hugh Mitchell, chairman of Woodbine Entertainment’s board of directors.
Woodbine Entertainment is one of North America’s leading Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetrack operators. In 2022, it generated more than $1 billion in wagering revenues from both physical and online channels. It operates racing at both Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Woodbine Entertainment directly employs more than 1,500 people in Ontario and leads the sustainability and growth of the entire Ontario racing industry and the roughly 25,000 jobs within it.
“We are one of the best multi-faceted sports and entertainment companies in North America, and we have tremendous potential to further develop and grow with horse racing at the center of it all,” Copeland said. “With this role comes great responsibility as it supports a way of life for tens of thousands of families in Ontario as it did for my wife’s family for decades. I am excited about the opportunity we have to lead Woodbine and racing in Ontario to ambitious, new heights.”
The board of directors also announced the appointment of Jim Lawson to executive chair, to help create continuity as the organization prepares for transformative growth in the coming years.
As part of the transition and to support Copeland in his new role, it also was announced that long-time horse racing industry executive Bill Ford will assume the role of chief racing officer and general counsel. Ford has been an executive at Woodbine Entertainment since 2011.
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