EDMONTON – Larry Thompson, the previous season-ticket holder who turned proprietor of the Edmonton Elks, has died. He was 65.
The Elks confirmed Thompson’s loss of life Thursday, saying he succumbed to problems following an unspecified surgical procedure.
Thompson’s loss of life is the second tragedy in lower than two weeks for the CFL. General supervisor Ted Goveia of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats died Sept. 12 of esophageal most cancers.
Goveia, 55, from Burlington, Ont., turned Hamilton’s GM on Dec, 5, 2024 following 11 seasons within the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ entrance workplace.
And in August, Craig Smith, a longtime CFL scout, died following a battle with leukemia. He was 69.
Thompson was a longtime season-ticket holder earlier than being unveiled as Elks’ proprietor on Aug. 15, 2024. It was a dramatic departure for the storied CFL franchise, which had been community-owned because it was based in 1949.
The change to non-public possession left the CFL with simply two community-owned groups — the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“Our household is devastated with the lack of our anchor,” Thompson’s spouse, Deb, stated in a press release. “Larry was a legend and our household will proceed his legacy far past our lifetimes.
“Owning EE was a lifelong dream, my solely remorse is he isn’t right here to get pleasure from it. I’ll proceed to assist the membership and group because it has change into my dream, in addition to of our household.”
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The Elks (5-9) stand fifth within the West Division and can host Saskatchewan (10-3) on Saturday night time. Edmonton hasn’t certified for the CFL playoffs since 2019.
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“Larry Thompson was a winner,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston stated in a press release. “An enormous CFL fan, he cheered because the Green and Gold turned legendary, profitable 5 straight Grey Cups from 1978 by way of 1982.
“And in 2024, he lived each soccer fan’s dream when he got here to personal the workforce he grew up loving. He laid the foundations for the Double E’s return to glory and within the coming years, when the workforce thrives and followers cheer on the Elks, we’ll bear in mind Larry and the indelible influence he had on his workforce and his metropolis.”
Chris Morris gained three Grey Cups as a participant with Edmonton (1992-’05). He returned to the franchise as its CEO final October and stated Thompson’s influence throughout all the group was profound.
“Larry’s toughness and direct nature had been matched solely by his real care for each individual related to the Double E,” Morris stated. “He led with readability, braveness, and an unwavering perception in individuals.
“We will do every little thing in our energy to hold his instance with us as we rebuild this franchise in his honour.”
Thompson attended his first CFL sport in Edmonton in 1972. The Elks stated possession of the franchise will stay with Deb Thompson.
When Larry Thompson, the previous proprietor of Thompson Brothers Construction, bought the Elks, he was credited with saving the franchise. In 2022, the workforce reported a $3.3-million deficit and was searching for non-public funding to stabilize its future.
“We are going to want a capital funding on the membership going ahead, as a result of it’s going to take us a few years to get out of those losses we’ve been accumulating on an annual foundation,” Rick LeLacheur, the workforce’s interim president and CEO, stated on the time.
Thompson offered Thompson Construction Group in 2023. Under Thompson’s steerage, the corporate in Spruce Grove, Alta., grew to 1,500 employees and owned 2,000 items of apparatus.
But upon taking the over the soccer franchise, Thompson vowed to do every little thing he might to assist Edmonton restore its former glory. It has gained 14 Grey Cups, second behind the Toronto Argonauts (19) for probably the most in CFL historical past.
“My household and I can’t wait to convey our ardour for the workforce to the desk as house owners and construct on the membership’s proud historical past of excellence,” Thompson stated upon buying the Elks. “My promise to our followers is that I’ll do every little thing in my energy to make sure the membership has the sources to be the most effective within the CFL and supply a product our followers will be pleased with.”
There was no quick phrase on funeral preparations.
Edmonton holds the document for many consecutive Grey Cup appearances (six, 1977-1982) and consecutive wins (5, 1978-1982).
Winnipeg has made 5 straight Grey Cup appearances (2019, ’21-24). It can tie Edmonton’s document if it may attain this 12 months’s championship sport, which will likely be held at Princess Auto Stadium on Nov. 16.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Sept. 25, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
