The Ottawa Redblacks have appointed former Canadian Football League (CFL) slotback Mike Morreale as the team’s new president. The announcement came Tuesday as the franchise seeks to reverse its challenging 2026 season.
Morreale, 55, expressed enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing his commitment to building a competitive organization both on and off the field. “This is about more than building a team that can win. It’s about building an organization that can compete for championships and give people in Ottawa a reason to feel connected to and proud of the Redblacks,” he said. He acknowledged the significant work ahead and outlined his intention to make strategic decisions to strengthen the team’s foundation.
The Redblacks enter the final week of their season with a 1-16 record, preparing to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who hold a 5-12 mark, this Saturday. Ottawa’s struggles have underscored the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the football operations and leadership structure. Morreale will spearhead this review and work toward establishing permanent football leadership. Currently, Ryan Dinwiddie serves as both head coach and general manager in his first season, while Jim Popp, a former CFL general manager, has been contributing as a senior football adviser since August.
Among Morreale’s priorities will be enhancing the team’s processes for identifying, recruiting, and developing talent. He will also be responsible for crafting a long-term football and business strategy to guide the franchise’s future direction and priorities.
Mark Goudie, president and CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, highlighted the importance of reconnecting the team with its fan base. “Our fans have every right to expect much more from the Redblacks than we have delivered,” Goudie stated. “Mike has two clear jobs: build a football organization capable of competing for championships and reconnect this team with Ottawa. When this club was at its best, this city felt part of it. We need to earn that back.”
Morreale’s playing career spanned 12 CFL seasons, primarily with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. During his time on the field from 1995 to 2006, he won two Grey Cups—in 1996 and 1999—and earned recognition as the league’s top Canadian player in 1998. He also received the Tom Pate Memorial Award in 2000 for his contributions to his team, community, and the CFL Players’ Association.
After retiring as a player, Morreale held leadership roles within the CFLPA, including marketing director and president. In 2017, he co-founded the Canadian Elite Basketball League and served as its first commissioner until October 2025.
The Redblacks’ leadership transition comes as the organization seeks to change course after several difficult seasons, aiming to restore competitive success and deepen its ties to the Ottawa community.