Amar Doman, founder and sole shareholder of the Futura Corporation, was introduced as the new owner of the B.C. Lions on Wednesday at a media availability at the team’s practice facility.
“I’m thrilled and excited by the opportunity before us, to build a winning team on the field, to be a positive force for a better British Columbia off the field, and to provide a great experience for our fans and our partners every step of the journey,” said Doman in a press release.
“The Lions are part of the fabric of this great province. I’m honoured to take on this role because of our team’s history. But I’m motivated, most of all, by the future I see ahead for this franchise. I am extremely excited to get started.”
Doman has built the Futura Corporation into one of the largest and fastest growing companies in Canada. He purchased the Lions from the estate of previous owner David Braley, the business icon and Canadian Football Hall of Famer who passed away last October.
“2021 is going to be an exciting year for our Lions. Our first two games showed us not only how good this club is, but how tough they are. Tomorrow night will be our first home game since 2019, 656 days since we last played before our home fans. It will be the largest opening of any event in British Columbia in over a year,” said Doman in his welcoming speech.
The long-time fan of the Lions was bullish on winning fans back to BC Place, where attendance has dwindled over the past five years.
“Throughout the league, our fans have embraced our return-to-play and long-standing CFL traditions. Since our inaugural game in 1953, our club has won a remarkable six Grey Cups and I look forward to many more victories, and representing the West in Hamilton this year,” said Doman.
“Let’s get after the Elks tomorrow night, give them a hard time as we welcome them back to B.C. We’re going to have a lot of fans in there and I’m going to challenge B.C. to sell out. We want to sell out tomorrow night like some of the other cities have. I’m bringing a lot of my great team members and employees tomorrow night. We’re going to have a good time and I’m very, very proud to be part of the CFL.”
“Amar Doman is exactly the owner that David Braley wanted for the future of the B.C. Lions, a team he was proud to own and that he deeply loved,” said Grant Panchyson, Executor of David Braley’s estate.
“A resident of the lower Mainland, Amar’s family has been in B.C. for more than 100 years, operating successful businesses throughout the province. I’m excited to see the team move forward.”
As the controlling shareholder, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Doman Building Materials (DBM-TSX), as well as the controlling shareholder and Chairman of the Board of Tree Island Steel (TSL-TSX), Doman brings more than 30 years of experience in building materials, lumber, and forest products manufacturing industries, and in public and private investments with an employee count in North America approaching 3,000. Active in industry organizations, he was formerly a Director on the National Board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
“This is a great day for British Columbia, the Lions and the Canadian Football League,” said CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
“On behalf of our Board of Governors, and our fans across the country, I want to welcome Amar and his family to the CFL family. I have every confidence he will be a strong owner who will make this franchise, and our league, stronger.”
Ambrosie publicly thanked everyone who has worked hard to maintain the franchise in the wake of Braley’s passing.
“The support and patience shown by David’s estate, led by Grant, the hard work of Lions’ President Rick LeLacheur and the Lions’ staff, and the dedication of the players, coaches and the entire football operation, especially as we all navigated the challenges presented by the pandemic, are all a testament to David’s legacy and his vision for the future,” he said.
“Now, the future has arrived in the person of Amar Doman. We look forward to working with him to move this great franchise forward and to help us build the Canadian Football League of the future.”
