Here are five big reasons why the hiring of Skulsky, who will complete his duties as CEO of Canwest Publishing on April 30th and begin at the Lions on May 1st, is a winner for Braley and the BC Lions:
1. The human side of the story: Skulsky's relationship with his predecessor, the late and loved Bobby Ackles, provides a strong personal connection to the appointment. He was a close friend of the little man who could and became one of his greatest disciples in the Vancouver business community as an original founder of the Waterboys, the team's ambassador network named after Ackles' original job in football;
2. The passion of the deal: As a founding Waterboy, Skulsky has worn his passion for the Lions and the CFL on his sleeves -- personal and corporate -- since 2003. That passion alone makes him a natural successor to Ackles;
3. A commitment to community investment: Bob Ackles repatriated the BC Lions brand of CFL football from the ground up, making the team the most community-friendly of all of Vancouver's professional sport franchises. That shared philosophy brought Ackles and Skulsky together in the first place early last decade. If there is a media or broadcast executive in Canada who better understands the importance of community relations and investment than Dennis Skulsky, I have yet to meet him or her. The same principles that made The Vancouver Sun and The Province leaders among community events and organizations in the Lower Mainland when Skulsky was their Publisher will be applied to the Lions. That will help extend the legacy of Ackles;
4. A powerful network: Skulsky brings a heavy-duty Rolodex to his role as BC Lions chief executive. He is among the most connected businessmen in British Columbia and his years with Canwest in Toronto expanded that network to the national level. Those corporate contacts will come in handy for the Lions and for the CFL as Skulsky becomes one of the league's most important salesmen;
5. His familiarity with the job: As chair of the Waterboys and the 2005 Grey Cup festival in Vancouver, Skulsky was among those most familiar with the day-to-day activities of Ackles. He has in-depth knowlege of the Lions' business operations. He knows the CFL deal and has already met several times with Commissioner Mark Cohon. His ability to get off to a running start is arguably the most important aspect of the appointment, because it comes at a critical juncture in the history of the Lions, as they play close to two seasons at their temporary home at Empire Fields before hosting the 2011 Grey Cup a renovated BC Place stadium.
Dennis Skulsky will make an immediate impact in filling the void that has existed since the passing of Bob Ackles in July of 2008. That is good news for dual owner Braley as he preoccupies himself with his latest CFL challenge, turning around the Toronto Argonauts, and it's good news for Lions fans. Most of what Ackles preached to rebuild the Lions is very much in the corporate and community leadership DNA of Skulsky.
More than anything, this is a coup for the CFL. To have an accomplished executive of Skulsky's pedigree choose to take this gig on reflects well on the league as stadium renovations and replacements appear to be ushering in a golden era for the CFL brand of football.
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