Cary Kaplan - President
As founder and president of Cosmos Sports in 2003, the company with the ambition to 'Win the Business', has rapidly established itself as an international industry leader in several areas including Team Training and Education, Career Management, Corporate Sponsorship and Ticket Sales, and Corporate Branding.
Under Cary's leadership, Cosmos Sports has built relationships with numerous teams, leagues, athletes, fans, universities and sports organizations and has led the launch of the Sports Management Academy series, the Cosmos Sports Institute, Sports Marketing & Career Conference series and established the sportshiring.com and pickfun.com brands.
Cary has personally consulted for and trained over 300 teams and leagues including the National Hockey League (NHL), Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets (NBA), Canadian Football League (CFL), National Lacrosse League (NLL), Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers & Ottawa Senators (NHL).
As well, from 2005-2009 he served as the Chairman & Commissioner of Canada's only professional soccer league, the CSL, establishing a much needed feeder system in the country's largest participation sport.
For six years, and prior to founding Cosmos Sports, Cary was a proud employee of the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club, involved in the management of their AHL franchise, the Hamilton Bulldogs.
During his tenure in Hamilton, some of the highlights included The Bulldogs being awarded the Tourism Award of Excellence in 1998, 1999 and 2001 for the top marketed organization in Southern Ontario. In 1999, he personally Won the Ken McKenzie Award (1999) as the American Hockey League’s top business executive.
As club President, Cary championed the “Stay Dogs Stay” campaign, securing the long term sustainability of the hockey clubs future in Hamilton. In their 15th season, the Bulldogs are the longest serving Canadian minor pro franchise.
During the six years with the Hamilton Bulldogs, attendance grew 32%. This was the largest increase of any of the 36 AHL/IHL (AAA) hockey franchises in North America during this period.
Upon raising the capital for new ownership, and establishing the Montreal Canadiens as the new NHL partner of the Bulldogs, Cary left the club with his wife Amelia to found Cosmos Sports in 2003.
Cary received an Honours BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto, and subsequently achieved his MBA specializing in Marketing and International Business from Dalhousie University.
Email: carykaplan@aol.com