Former CFL executive Christina Litz has been appointed Northern Super League president

Christina Litz, whose resume includes executive stints with the Canadian Football League, Woodbine Entertainment and Manitoba-based True North Sports and Entertainment, has been named president of the Northern Super League.

The new professional women’s soccer league is scheduled to begin next April, with franchises in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

“We’re very excited to have her,” league co-founder Diana Matheson said of Litz.

“She has such a seamless experience in the CFL, with the (Winnipeg) Jets, doing a number of other things … She knows the space so well,” added the former Canadian international. “And that’s exactly what we wanted going into it.”

Matheson, meanwhile, is taking on the title of director of growth, focusing on “developing additional opportunities within the league,” according to the league.

Litz, a native of Winnipeg, worked on Bay Street after earning her law degree from the University of Manitoba.

He joined CHUM Radio and Television as director of business and legal affairs before working for Telus, Rogers Communications and eventually Corus Entertainment as vice president, digital content and engagement.

She spent five years at CFL, most recently as director of marketing, digital and strategy, before serving as Woodbine’s vice president, business development and revenue. In May 2021, she joined True North, leading the commercial side of the parent company to the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.

Litz, a mother of two who will be based in Winnipeg to start, says her career led her to the new league.

“Really coming here is a full-circle moment where I really feel like I’m bringing who I am, my passions, my values, as well as my experience and hopefully contributing to something that’s really important for our country and for the girls who play the sport here – to have something to look forward to,” she said.

Matheson says Litz is a perfect fit.

“She has the vision of this league,” Matheson said. “Which, of course, for me and the rest of us was the most important thing. She knows the ambition that we have and the opportunity that we have in Canada. I’d say we’re pretty much in sync.”

The league is also looking to hire more vice presidents.

“So we’re pretty quickly here, filling up the front of the office,” Matheson said. “And then the league and all its clubs continue to hire and build almost as fast as we can until next year.”

While her hiring was only announced Monday, Litz has been working for the league behind the scenes for “Mondays now.”

“We’re definitely a start-up, but this is a solid group of owners,” she said. “And going back to my days at the CFL and being very close to the ownership model and the group there, I’m very confident in who I see around the table, their level of engagement, the skills and knowledge and resources they bring. at this.”

Matheson says the announcements of most players will probably have to wait for now as most are contracted to other clubs right now.

“It might be an odd one, but I will say the reality is that most player announcements, for most rosters, will happen in the later parts of the year.”

Matheson says work at the league is going well, although there is more to do.

“I think it’s going to be a sprint from now until next year and there’s probably going to be some things behind the scenes that aren’t perfect and (are) messy. But we will be on the field next year and it will be pretty incredible.”

“I think perfection is the enemy of doing this because it’s so big.” she added. “The important part is we start next year and then we get to grow and get better from there. But at this point, I would say we’re very happy where we are, and especially that Christina came along. has already had such an impact so far.”

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 8, 2024

Neil Davidson, Canadian Press