Those who can’t, write, except him
Mike Petrie was a highly respected writer on the football beat before becoming Calgary’s assistant general manager
The man responsible for overseeing the salary cap for the Calgary Stampeders, and ensuring the team doesn’t exceed its $4.35-million annual allotment, admits he regularly submitted his expense accounts to the Calgary Herald months late.
“Of course,” Mike Petrie said, “I knew I wasn’t going to get fired for late expenses. I will for screwing-up the salary cap. If you fear getting fired, it fuels you to do the job.
“It’s still my goal,” he added with a laugh, “not to get fired everyday.”
If you don’t know Petrie, the Stamps’ 42-year-old assistant general manager (football operations) who attempts to remain invisible and behind the scenes – although astute viewers will always catch glimpses of him standing near the team’s bench during Canadian Football League games – regular newspaper readers, especially those in western Canada, were familiar with his byline. Petrie worked for 12 years as a sportswriter in Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Calgary, spending a decade as the Stamps’ beat writer for the Herald.
That he made the transition from covering the team to being employed by it, back in December 2007, is one of the more intriguing stories circulating throughout the CFL. And, with the media industry constantly evolving – sometimes from hour to hour – Petrie has become the envy of many journalists. In many respects, he had the foresight to abandon the ship before it began taking on water.
“I was worn out, tired of video and different things,” Petrie said during an interview this week. “I embraced it at the time, but I could see it wasn’t what I fell in love with when I got into the business.”
It was shortly after the 2007 Grey Cup that Petrie was approached by Ted Hellard, the Stamps’ managing partner at the time. The call, asking Petrie if he was interested in becoming the team’s mediarelations director, came out of the blue, Petrie immediately quashing the offer. But Hellard persisted and, eventually, the former scribe acquiesced.
And, he admits, he now makes more money than he did as an ink-stained wretch. Probably considerably more.
Petrie always was one of the hardest-working, and most-respected, writers on the football beat. He was controversial and opinionated, but it was clear he had done his homework and knew what he was writing about. If people didn’t necessarily like him, they certainly respected Petrie for everything he stood for.
“I don’t think ... being in the media ... people in the media particularly liked me,” said Petrie, who had a love/hate relationship – mostly the latter – with, among others, Matt Dunigan, the Stamps’ general manager and head coach in 2004, when the team went 4-14. “My dream job wasn’t to go deal with the media more.
“It was bizarre. This was a team I was highly critical of (as a reporter). I wasn’t the favourite person around the office when I arrived that first day.”
Petrie was excited and intrigued about working for and with John Hufnagel, who arrived in 2008 as the Stamps’ GM and head coach. Petrie knew Hufnagel to be a consummate pro, and understood the franchise was becoming more stable following some lean times in the new millennium.
Hufnagel, in turn, was seeking a competent person to handle the media, assisting him during his return to the CFL. And, as Hufnagel did his research, reading more of Petrie’s written work, his impression of him continued growing.
“He was a well-respected reporter. I thought it would be a good twist,” Hufnagel said. “I didn’t hold (anything he had written) against him. I could see he was such a good reporter. A lot of his stuff was insightful. He knew what he was talking about. I thought he was very skilled.
“What impressed me about Mike ... he was continually in my office wanting to know more – about scouting, the business side. I knew I had the guy. He does a great job, and his plans are far more reaching.”
Petrie spent two years in media relations before being promoted to the director of football operations in 2010. He’s now in his second year as the assistant GM, Hufnagel not averse to promoting those from within who display competence and the ability to handle additional responsibilities.
Petrie’s duties are wideranging – everything from managing the roster to administering the salary cap. He’s responsible for day-today operations and logistics, has started the groundwork in contract negotiations and has even been forced to release players. He can be called upon to handle immigration or legal issues, along with budgetary items. Petrie meets Hufnagel on a daily basis and has even sat in on coaches meetings, where players are being evaluated.
Petrie learned through trial and error, and by asking questions. Clearly, he’s a quick study.
“Huf sets the tone for the entire team,” Petrie said. “This franchise is built on honesty, straightforwardness and trust. There are no grey areas. He’s honest and fair, and gets to the point. Get it done respectfully and fair.
“It’s a perfect employee relationship, because it’s all black and white, spelled out. Huf has a huge heart and major loyalty to people. He does things behind the scenes nobody knows about.”
Contracts in the CFL, Petrie said, are straightforward. You find comparable players, historical points, and begin negotiating. Be direct and honest, he said, and the process goes smoothly and quickly. The salary cap, meanwhile, is more onerous. It takes meticulous tracking while juggling numerous scenarios.
“From the moment the roster’s set, I’ve projected who’s on the one-game (injured list), the reserve roster,” Petrie explained. “I know every player’s projected status. On a weekly basis you adjust. And it changes. It changes on the fly.
“I guess 15 or 20 years of Fantasy Football gives you 1 per cent of the foundation you need.”
It wouldn’t be surprising if Petrie continues climbing the corporate ladder. He’s young enough, and highly thought of, that one day he could become a CFL GM. Stranger things have occurred. Even Hufnagel admitted it’s possible.
“I swear, i don’t think beyond getting through today without any fires burning,” petrie said. “The day they let me go, I’ll go back-packing. And it will be fine.”