The Calgary SunByline: BY ERIC FRANCIS
Eight years ago, Brett Wilson prepared to die.
Diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, the man who always had a plan suddenly didn't.
So he made one.
"It's certainly a humbling experience to sit down and write out what you expect your funeral to look like," said the 51-year-old Calgary entrepreneur, Dragon's Den panelist and budding sports mogul.
"Who the key people I wanted to be involved and what I wanted my kids to hear and say ... I wrote out part of my epitaph, too."
He then stood up, closed the book on death and focused on living. And while his never-ending list of business ventures continues to grow, so does his unquenchable thirst for sports and entertainment properties.
Making a splash last week by telling the Sun he has a handshake agreement to buy a piece of the Nashville Predators, the longtime investment banker is sure to turn more heads this week with his thoughts on adding a second CFL team in Saskatchewan.
"(CFL commissioner) Mark Cohon and I have had coffee a couple times and I love what he's trying to do in terms of building that brand, but Ottawa is too far away and Halifax doesn't make sense to me," said the native of North Battleford, Sask., when asked of interest in the CFL.
"But if they ever thought about letting Saskatoon have a team, I'd sure like to partner with the group that buys that. I know that would burn a few bridges in the north and south. The reality is the fan base in southern Saskatchewan is strong enough to support the 'Riders. Could it be divided and could a second team survive there? Oh, there'd be some kicking and squawking and screaming, but you know, once upon a time a group of scientists were certain the world was flat and they were proven wrong. I think it could be done."
That said, the University of Saskatchewan grad insists he isn't spending any time on the concept, which is completely believable given how little time the well-healed businessman, father, philanthropist and sports fan must have for anything.
Buying the biggest chunk of Derby County Football Club in England last year to go with his minor league baseball outfit in Jackson, Tenn., Wilson's ever-expanding empire also includes a partnership with Canadian country singer Beverley Mahood.
Wilson, who inquired about buying into both the Oilers and the Flames, has had a blast attending several Derby matches.
"Derby County has been a hilarious, fascinating, interesting run," said Wilson, who seeks only to be a part of the sports action, as opposed to running the teams. "If you want fun factor and excitement, I got it with that team."
Although gaining a reputation as one of the nation's most active entrepreneurs, he wants to be known for several other things, which he will outline when he shares his story at the Power Within seminar Tuesday at the Convention Centre, where he'll sub in for Michael Phelps alongside others like Martin Sheen and Mahood.
"I've had to re-prioritize my life. At one time, it would have been pretty obvious my top-ten priorities would have been business, money, business, wealth, money, business, business, business ... And the reason I was doing that was to provide for my family. How screwed up is that?," said Wilson, whose work ethic damaged his now-defunct marriage and his early relationship with his three kids.
"Kids don't care how many businesses you own. Now, my priorities are my health first, family second, friends third. Until you take care of the first three, what's the point of living?"
With a clean bill of health, the zestful investor now works tirelessly on that balance while accruing sports properties he calls "the fun stuff" and giving back to the community.
The economic downturn has done little to slow him down.
"The world is on sale right now," declared Wilson. "I don't have enough cash to do all the things I'd like to do right now, but I'm very bullish on what the next five years hold."
Suddenly, so might be the folks in Saskatoon.
17 comments:
I'm not liking the chances of a CFL team in Saskatoon. The province can't support two teams. The loyalty of the Riders is too strong!!
CFL in Saskatoon is rediculous unless they build a stadium with a retractable roof, then we can move the Riders there.
Don't like his idea about a CFL team in Saskatoon but he is a very interesting man. Love watching the Dragon's Den.
Would love to hear him speak - Rod, can you talk him into coming to Regina? Maybe to speak at a fundraiser for our new Regina stadium complex!!
The logistics of this make sense.
Typically you could state there isn't enough of a base to support two teams with the population, however given the percentage of the market that is interested in football is extremely high I think it could be done.
Each city needs only to capture 10% of the population in each city, not including surrounding communities and those that will attend both teams games.
I do think one thing is a vital 1st step that could be a private venture for this to occur and I must credit Drew Remenda for the suggestion but I think it's a viable idea for a business idea and also would strengthen the idea intercity sports/business ideas.
We need to have a passenger train from Saskatoon to Regina. Going back and forth between the two cities 4 -5 times a day.
Could you imagine, two CFL teams with a train to take fans back and forth to the games? Wild times would be in place.
Cheers
How about talking this guy into putting up some cash for a new domed stadium in Regina? Or even buying up some of the Rider's organization? He could be the Mark Cuban of the CFL. (without the nerdy attitude though!)
Its do-able.
Let's let him buy up a BIG share of the Riders, as Trevor said, build a new dome, and we'll even give him the naming rights to the dome.
For the folks who think that he should invest in a new stadium in Regina etc.........NO where in the article does it suggest that this would be of interest to him.
Growing up in North Battleford and attending the U of S, he has 0 interest in Regina, his whole point is to enhance the existing rivalry between Regina and Saskatoon by adding a team in Saskatoon, which I think would be fantastic.
He was the guest speaker at the Notre Dame College Grad in 2007. He was an inspiring speaker and I would recommend him for any event. I do not agree with a second team in the Province. Rod keep up the great work, this is an outstanding blog!
For once no comment from Caesar, THANK YOU! sick of his 2 cents on EVERYTHING ..... No Way Saskatoon could suport a CFL team, even the riders, people don't care about sports in that town. No to a dome in Regina, would rather have a renovated Taylor Field, a 100 million into Taylor field, you wouldn't recognize it, thats alot of changes and renos. If we build a dome, in 15 years when the hype of the new building wears off it will be a big hunk of concrete that no one wants to go to with no atmosphere or style.
Gunner
I love the idea sure some would oh but the Riders I bet those are the same ones saying the NFL is trying to kill the CFL.Can it happen sure it could will it happen don't think so but hey if does maybe a Saskatchewan will have a chance of winning the Grey Cup more than once every 20 years or so.
Speaking of 2 cents anonymous maybe you should take your own advice 100 million into Taylor Field(Mosaic Stadium)is nothing but a waste of money so in 10 years we can this place needs to be fix up again should have just built brand new. And as for your in 15 years nobody will won't to go a big hunk of concrete well ultil these last few years how many sell outs did the Riders have.
agreed, Saskatoon has never been a sports town in their history, they can't even support the Blades
Ed
If you could read maybe you would see i signed the post. I have seen CFL games in 5 of the 8 stadiums and there is nothing better than sitting in Taylor Field watching a warm summers night, or a snowy november playoff game. Ya the stadium is old and sucks but it has atmosphere and an environment. I have been to wrigley field in Chicago and it is a dump but you don't see people lining up to rip it down. In my mind a reno Taylor Field is better than a domed pile of concrete. Football is meant to be outside. I would love to see a new outdoor stadium but the province will never finace it and a retractable roof is too expensive.
Gunner
Yes, we need rail from Saskatoon to Regina, but recent changes have rendered it almost prohibitively expensive. That's because the government is allowing the recently-abandoned rail line from Regina to Davidson to be farmed or (worse) developed, so now a new rail bed would have to be constructed. That's going to cost a ton. The government needs to remove the incentives for R.M.s to plow over their old rail beds.
Oh, and this Saskatonian agrees that Taylor Field is classic and that the province can't support 2 CFL teams.
At least the Blades made the playoffs this year!
I am in Saskatoon , and I think that a second team in Saskatoon will go belly up, there is to strong of a loyalty to teh Riders to let Saskatoon have a team. As for B.W. Wilson buying the Riders... Riders are community owned (and owned by some shareholders) and that is one of the reasons they are who they are... Saskatchewan has a Strong tie to Co-op's whih are community owned... We love the Riders for the same reason...
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