Michael Copeland

Lisa Headrick has been appointed executive vice president, finance, strategy and operations at Woodbine Entertainment. "Lisa brings incredible depth and experience to the Woodbine leadership team," Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland shared. "We are excited to have her join our team and help lead our business and the horse racing industry to ambitious new heights." Formerly a Vice President of Finance at Loblaw Companies Limited, Headrick led Finance for the Discount Grocery Retail Division and prior to that, the E-Commerce and Loyalty (PC Optimum) segments. She spent over 20 years...

Woodbine Entertainment's 2023 Thoroughbred season produced an all-sources handle of $613,125,180 CAD, which was the second largest single-season recorded, but that overall number was down $8 million from 2022, the organization said in a release Wednesday. In 2023, a total of 1,180 races were contested over 128 dates of racing compared to 1,198 races over 132 dates in 2022. Woodbine ran four less dates and 18 less races in 2023 due to an unprecedented number of cancelled race cards (five) because of extreme heat and poor air quality caused by...

The King's Plate will be held in August for the third straight year in 2024 when it will be run Aug. 17 at Woodbine Racetrack. "This year's King's Plate was a big success, delivering a record handle, sold-out crowd and really exciting racing," said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine. "The third weekend in August has been a good spot for attracting a quality field on the track and an energetic crowd off the track. Building on our momentum created at this year's Plate, we are excited to make the event...

Former Ontario politician Monte McNaughton will join Woodbine Entertainment as Executive Vice President, Industry Relations and People Experience, it was announced Tuesday. McNaughton, who was most recently Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for the Province of Ontario, has served in public office for more than 15 years and was a Member of Provincial Parliament since 2011. "We have an opportunity to expand our business in a way that benefits Ontario's horse racing industry and the families depending on it. I believe Monte's expertise and leadership will guide...

Michael Copeland was unanimously chosen to be the next Chief Executive Officer of Woodbine Entertainment by the company's board of directors. Copeland will take over from Jim Lawson--who announced he would be stepping down earlier this year--effective Oct. 1. Copeland, who is currently President, Commercial, joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2021 after holding various  leadership roles in sports and entertainment, including President and CEO of the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts from 2015 to 2018, and President of the CFL's head office from 2006 to 2015. He has a law degree...

Woodbine Entertainment has made some changes to its senior leadership team, promoting Michael Copeland to President, Commercial and Tom Via to President, Operations. Both will report to CEO Jim Lawson. "We have a tremendous amount of opportunity before us to grow our business and the horse racing industry in Ontario," said Lawson. "I strongly believe we have the right leadership and people in place--and now we have the right structure that will enable us to maximize and fully leverage those opportunities." Copeland, who joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2021 as Chief...

Woodbine Entertainment and sports streaming platform DAZN Canada announced the new four-part live Thoroughbred racing series DAZN Day at the Races. Hosted by Woodbine Entertainment's Jason Portuondo, DAZN Day at the Races will kick off Saturday, June 26th at 3 p.m. ET and feature racing from Woodbine Racetrack as well as Belmont, Delaware Park and Churchill Downs. "We are thrilled to partner with DAZN Canada to offer this new live horse racing series to their customers across the country," said Michael Copeland, Chief Commercial Officer, Woodbine Entertainment. "Racing has such...

Woodbine Entertainment has appointed experienced sports executive Michael Copeland as its Chief Commercial Officer. Copeland assumes his role with Woodbine Entertainment May 10. Copeland founded and led his own consulting business focused on issues of growth and transformation in sports and entertainment. Prior to that, Copeland was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Argonauts (2015 to 2018), who under his leadership won a Grey Cup championship in 2017. Before joining the Argos, Copeland was the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Football League for nearly 10...