The commissioner’s sports marketing company, Cosmos Sports, has grown in recent years and Kaplan has decided he is unable to devote the time necessary to assist the CSL achieve its bold aspirations during the next year or two.

Cary Kaplan was appointed by the CSL following an illustrious period as president of Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL during which he was given a number of honours, including Executive of the Year in the American Hockey League.

Among the most significant accomplishments achieved during his tenure with the CSL have been the re-branding of the league, the creation of the International Division; the establishment of affiliations with both Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact, the signing of a landmark “Memorandum of Understanding” with the OSA; the creation of  a CSL Reserve Division; the signing a two year television agreement with Rogers for a regular CSL weekly telecast; and bringing the strong franchises, Trois-Rivieres Attak, Serbian White Eagles and TFC Academy to the CSL family.

Most recently, in a push for national recognition, Kaplan in May of this year led the CSL in achieving conditional membership in the CSA as Canada’s national league, while at the same time holding talks towards expansion to western Canada.

Kaplan said this week: “Being commissioner of the CSL has been a great honour. While the league has had a long history of survival, I believe that some of the strides made in the past few years have put the CSL in un-chartered waters and on the cusp of assuming its rightful place as Canada’s second tier professional soccer.   The CSL will play a vital role in the future of soccer in Canada and I am both optimistic and excited for the league’s future.”

CSL Inc. chairman Domenic Di Gironimo acknowledged Cary Kaplan’s tremendous contribution to the CSL. “There’s no doubt that Cary has moved the CSL ahead dramatically during the past few years, such that it is well positioned to occupy the second level professional soccer in Canada. And that’s essential for Canadian soccer. We thank him for his excellent leadership and his generous and very considerable contribution to the Canadian Soccer League.”

Kaplan will remain as Commissioner through the next 60 days and the completion of the CSL Championship on October 24.