Ottawa sports entrepreneur Jeff Hunt stands on the precipice of a remarkable sporting achievement this Sunday. Should his club, Atletico Ottawa, secure victory in the Canadian Premier League championship match, Hunt will enter an exclusive circle of owners who have captured titles across three different professional leagues.
A Legacy of Championship Success
The 61-year-old, originally from Newfoundland, is no stranger to the winner's circle. His trophy cabinet already boasts a Memorial Cup, won as the owner of the Ottawa 67's in 1999, and a Grey Cup, which he secured as a co-owner of the Ottawa Redblacks in 2016. A victory for Atletico Ottawa would complete an unprecedented trifecta for the prominent local businessman.
The championship game is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday at TD Place, a venue intimately connected to Hunt's ventures. The match promises a record-breaking crowd and an electric atmosphere, with the home side having the opportunity to claim the city's first-ever national soccer championship.
Joining an Elite Group of Owners
The list of individuals who have achieved this three-league championship feat is remarkably short. Canadian businessman Larry Tanenbaum, a Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment board member, has celebrated victories with the Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Toronto FC (MLS), and the Toronto Raptors (NBA). American billionaire Stan Kroenke has set an even higher bar, winning titles with the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), and Colorado Rapids (MLS).
Beyond these notable figures, extensive searches reveal no other owners who have matched this accomplishment, placing Hunt in truly rarefied air should his team emerge victorious.
A Different Kind of Final
Hunt's journey to this potential historic moment hasn't been without its near misses. He has experienced the disappointment of defeat in two Grey Cup appearances, a final with the now-defunct Ottawa Fury FC of the North American Soccer League in 2015, and with Atletico Ottawa in the 2022 CPL final.
Reflecting on the Fury's 2015 final appearance, Hunt noted the significant challenges they faced. "In that league, there was no salary cap, and I remember the New York Cosmos had one player who made more than our entire team," he recalled. "To say the least, we were underdogs."
This Sunday presents a completely different scenario. Atletico Ottawa made history this season by becoming the first CPL team to go undefeated at home during the regular campaign. After finishing second in the standings, they upset regular-season champions Forge FC in the semifinal to earn the right to host the league's premier event on their home turf at TD Place.
Hunt expressed his excitement for the upcoming contest, stating, "I'm very excited for the game. I'm pretty sure it will be a record-breaking crowd, and I'm hoping we can make history by bringing the first-ever national championship in soccer to Ottawa. The team seems to be ready and the fans are, for sure. I can't wait. Days like this are why we get involved in sports. The atmosphere will be incredible."
