Canadian-American entrepreneur new majority owner of Toronto’s Northern Super League club

AFC Toronto, a women’s soccer team set to debut in the Northern Super League, has welcomed a new majority owner, Mark Mitchell. Mitchell, based in Michigan, is the founder of Mitchell Family Office (MFO) and has a successful track record of investing in various companies since 2015. While many of Mitchell’s investments have been in the healthcare industry, he was drawn to the opportunity to venture into professional sports after meeting with AFC Toronto CEO Helena Ruken and league officials.

In a recent interview, Mitchell expressed his investment philosophy of prioritizing people over business opportunities. He was impressed by the passion and mission of Ruken and the team’s founders to empower women in sports, which ultimately led to his decision to become the majority owner of AFC Toronto. The team is scheduled to kick off their season against Montreal Roses FC at BMO Field.

Mitchell, who has Canadian heritage, felt a personal connection to the team as his grandfather immigrated to Canada and his father grew up in Winnipeg. His existing investments in healthcare focusing on women’s roles paved the way for him to support younger women in pursuing their dreams and goals through sports.

Ruken mentioned that adding a majority owner was always part of the plan for AFC Toronto, and Mitchell’s significant investment ensures the long-term sustainability and success of the team. The original founding team, including Ruken, Brenda Ha, Kamal Sandhu, Jill Burgin, Mike Ruthard, Billy Wilson, and Shamez Mangalji, will continue to lead the club and oversee daily operations. Mitchell commended the management team and league leadership, describing them as the best he has encountered in his 45-year professional career.

The club’s founding partners have strong ties to the North Toronto Soccer Club, with Ruken now serving as the CEO, Wilson as the sporting director, and Sandhu as the COO. Notable investors such as tennis player Milos Raonic and sprinter Andre De Grasse have also shown support for the franchise. Mitchell, a father of five with two young soccer-playing children, emphasized the importance of community involvement and the team’s impact on professional women’s sports in Toronto and Canada.

Overall, the addition of Mark Mitchell as the majority owner brings a new wave of excitement and support to AFC Toronto, setting the stage for a successful inaugural season in the Northern Super League.