Ottawa Senators COO Erin Crowe headed to Soccer Canada

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The Ottawa Senators must fill a key role in their front office.

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Erin Crowe, the club’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, has accepted a new role with Canada Soccer.

The embattled governing body of soccer in this country announced the appointment of Crowe as its new COO and CFO in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

She had been brought back from a job in the private sector for a second stint with the Senators by then-owner Eugene Melnyk shortly before he died in early 2022.

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Losing Crowe, who will begin her new role with Canada Soccer next month, is a big hit to the Senators.

She is a highly respected executive in National Hockey League circles and helped guide the Senators’ front office through the sale of the club to Michael Andlauer and his group during the 2022-23 campaign.

Crowe worked closely with the representatives of Melnyk’s estate and New York-based investment bank Galatioto Sports Partners to help complete Andlauer’s purchase for $950 million U.S. in September 2023.

Promoted to COO/CFO of the club by chief executive officer/president Cyril Leeder when he returned to the Senators, Crowe has also played a lead role with Leeder in negotiations with the National Capital Commission to get a deal in place to purchase 10 acres of land for a new arena.

“This was a bittersweet day because Erin has provided significant financial and operational leadership within our organization over the years,” Leeder said. “Many of us know that Erin’s passion for the Senators is only rivalled by her love for soccer, and we know that Canada Soccer will benefit greatly from her leadership.

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“I will miss Erin’s leadership and organizational strength. I want to wish her well in this exciting new role and challenge.”

Crowe has been involved in local soccer organizations and has a passion for the game. She first started with the Senators in 1996 and was promoted to CFO before leaving the front office in 2015 for the job in the private sector.

“As someone with a passion for soccer and for sport in Canada, I am thrilled to join Canada Soccer and contribute to the tremendous work being done to promote and develop the sport in Canada,” Crowe said in a statement.

“I look forward to working with the talented team here and to support our vision and help elevate the game across the country at such an important time.”

The job with Canada Soccer will be challenging.

Kevin Blue, the CEO and general secretary of Canada Soccer, has faced difficult hurdles since he took over the organization.

Canada Soccer is attempting to get back on solid financial footing after the women’s program was involved in a cheating scandal at the 2024 Olympics held in Paris in July.

Some members of the coaching staff of the women’s team were let go after the Games because the day before the club faced New Zealand, the players noticed a drone flying over their practice.

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Canada Soccer was already in trouble before that embarrassing incident took place.

Members of the national women’s soccer team were on Parliament Hill in 2023 speaking to a heritage committee about the way Canada Soccer was being run and badly managed.

Blue only took on the role with Canada Soccer early in 2024 after leaving Golf Canada. He’s hopeful Crowe can help get the organization back on track.

“Erin is an accomplished and experienced executive with a track record of success in sports, private sector finance, and organizational operations,” said Blue in a statement. “In addition, her passion for grassroots soccer makes her an ideal leader to join our dedicated senior staff.”

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