Canada’s Sports Leader congratulates Paul Graham, Vice-President and Executive Producer, Live Events at TSN on being honoured with the Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award during the Shaw CFL Awards celebration in Ottawa. The award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated strong leadership and made significant contributions to the Canadian Football League.

“I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the entire TSN team to Paul for this exceptional and truly well-deserved honour,” said Stewart Johnston, President, Media Sales, Marketing, and TSN. “One of Canada’s most well-respected producers, Paul has worked tirelessly to evolve and enhance our live game production and grow the game of Canadian football. He’s done incredible work at TSN, and if you’re a Canadian Football fan you’ve no doubt been impacted by Paul’s broadcast initiatives.”

A distinguished television production veteran, Graham is widely recognized as one of Canada’s leading live sports producers. With a resume spanning more than 30 years with upwards of 5,000 major sporting events, including several hundred CFL games and the past nine GREY CUPS, Graham continues to evolve on-screen production. Graham pioneered the use of live mics, as well as the expanded use of Cablecams, on-field cameras, and behind-the-scenes access.

“It’s terrific and very fitting to see Paul recognized by the CFL with this award,” said Mark Milliere, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, TSN. “Paul’s mastery of live production and his devotion to Canadian football have elevated the CFL ON TSN each and every year, and I congratulate Paul on this wonderful honour.”

Graham’s working relationship with the CFL dates back to 1980, when he was hired as a spotter by the CBC. He played a leading role in the Canadian Football Network from 1987 to 1991, and has held senior positions at TSN, which has broadcast CFL games since 1986 and has been the exclusive broadcaster of the CFL since 2009.

His personal ties to the league go back to his boyhood in Edmonton, when he sat in the Knothole Gang end zone section in Clarke Stadium watching his favourite players, receiver George McGowan and defensive back Dick Dupuis. To this day, Graham, a notoriously competitive pick up hockey player, wears #17 in Dupuis’ honour.