The Canadian Soccer League is transitioning into a new era by partnering with Cosmos Sports and Entertainment to address declining team membership and celebrate its centennial, including its origins in 1925.
Cosmos Sports and Entertainment will help recruit prominent senior amateur clubs for entry into the semi-professional regional level in Ontario, with plans for further growth in the future.
Cosmos Sports and Entertainment is a highly regarded sports marketing company well versed in Canada’s soccer scene with its president, Cary Kaplan the former commissioner of the CSL, a position held following an earlier career as president of Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. During his tenure at the AHL Kaplan was elected the executive of the year in 1999.
In general, while soccer in Canada is now a mainstream sport with more players registered than hockey, the depth at the professional level is shallow with just three teams in U.S.-based Major League Soccer and the fledgling Canadian Premier League, the top league in Canada with eight teams in five provinces.
It is generally held that a more extensive and stronger professional soccer in Canada will lead to Canada being more competitive on the world stage.
CSL president Dragan Bakoc expressed pleasure in engaging Cosmos Sports and Entertainment for the enrolment of additional teams. “We look forward to this project and the future benefits for our league and contribution to the game in Canada,” he said.
FOR MORE INFO ON TEAM MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CSL: csl@cosmossports.com
