New Edmonton Elks’ president and CEO Victor Cui is open to bringing back legendary equipment manager Dwayne Mandrusiak, according to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug.
Mandrusiak started working for the team in 1971, which would have made the 2020 season his 50th year with the team. He was temporarily laid off in May 2020 amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and was permanently laid off in September 2020, ending his hopes of completing a 50-year run with the organization.
He was part of eleven Grey Cup championships in Edmonton, including the run of five-straight from 1978 to 1982. Former team president and CEO Chris Presson and general manager Brock Sunderland, both of whom were fired following a disastrous 2021 season, were criticized heavily for the decision not to retain Mandrusiak.
The Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) hired Mandrusiak in August 2021 as their equipment safety advisor. As one of Canada’s most revered and respected sports equipment safety specialists, he was tasked with helping define equipment standards, lead research on equipment safety, and direct equipment policies.
Cui was introduced as the new president and CEO of the Edmonton Elks on Tuesday. The Edmonton native left the city in 2002 to gain international sports marketing experience and launched One Championship (MMA) in 2010. It is now Asia’s largest sports media property with a current valuation of well over $1 billion (USD).
