Ottawa Rapid have new majority owners

CBC News

· Posted: Mar 06, 2026 8:50 AM EST | Last Updated: 33 minutes ago

Ottawa's professional women's soccer team announced a new majority ownership group on Friday.

The Ottawa Rapid's ownership group is led by chair Nick Sakellariadis, a Harvard law and business grad with a lengthy investment banking career and more than a decade owning the Cincinatti Reds affiliate in Dayton, Ohio.

Those Dayton Dragons have a sellout streak lasting basically this entire century. Sakellariadis's group sold it to minor league juggernauts Diamond Baseball Holdings about a year ago, but he remains as its co-executive chair.

The other two members of the new Arcadia MapleLeaf Soccer group are Michael Savit, a fellow former owner of the Dragons, and Ellen Shumway, who brings experience in finance and consulting.

"The ownership group is committed to building Ottawa Rapid FC as a fan-focused, family-friendly community institution — one that also creates dynamic role models, reinforces Ottawa’s role in the continued growth of women’s soccer in Canada, and strengthens the pathway from youth participation to professional excellence," said the team's news release.

The Rapid did not disclose the amount they're investing. Existing owners are staying on, the team said, and they're also investing more in the club.

The Rapid fell in the Northern Super League semifinal in the league's first season. DB Pridham, who is currently with Canada's national team, was named the league's player of the year and Jyllissa Harris was defender of the year.

Ottawa begins its 2026 season in Halifax on April 25, with its home opener May 2.