Bombers profited in 2010

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/04/2011 (5355 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT can’t be easy or particularly enjoyable for anybody in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers organization to step in front of a group of diehards and recap some of the nightmares of the 2010 season.

Just to open some old wounds, last year featured:

— A 4-14 record, the second consecutive season without playoff football;

— Nine losses by four points or less;

— Four different starting quarterbacks in Buck Pierce, Steven Jyles, Alex Brink and Joey Elliott, courtesy a string of injuries that came to represent the black cloud that seems to be permanently hovering over the organization.

So when club president Jim Bell takes to the podium at the club’s annual Fan Forum tonight — Canad Inns Polo Park, 7 p.m. — the news he will deliver about the club posting a six-figure profit on 2010 operations will be both remarkable and a testament to the power of the Bomber brand.

“We talk about that a lot within these walls,” said Bell. “It absolutely speaks to our loyal and patient fans. The message I’ve been getting from our fans, for the most part, is ‘Yeah, we don’t like 4-14. But stay the course because we see some light at the end of the tunnel.’

“Let’s face it, there are a lot of places that would relish the position we’re in going forward in 2011: we won four out of 18 games and people are buying tickets.”

Bell reports that season-ticket sales are three weeks ahead of last year’s pace and the sponsorship numbers continue to trend upwards. Worth noting, as well, is this: the buzz around the new stadium scheduled to open in 2012 is a hint that business could soon be booming. An example — the new building will have 40 corporate suites and the list of companies wanting a piece of that action already exceeds that amount. Not surprisingly, the club holds those numbers up as evidence its long-term business plan — which includes repayment of an $85-million loan from the province to construct the $190-million facility — actually has legs.

Still, there is also this reality: the power of the Bomber brand gets severely tested if the team continues to miss the playoffs and if the NHL returns to the city. Yes, optimism in April is dandy, but that loyalty wanes quickly if the team stumbles out of the gate in July. And if the NHL was to announce it was returning, it’s possible some corporations may turn their attention to hockey and away from the Bombers.

“At the end of the day it’s something that, no question, will have an affect on the Winnipeg Football Club. But we feel that there’s room in this city and the province and when the day comes that (the NHL returns) we’ll embrace it.” Bell said.

In any case, it’s something the Bombers can’t control. What they can work on is improving the on-field product.

“Hey, if we can make money on an unsuccessful season and now with some of the new incremental revenue streams coming to us through the new venue we really believe the future is bright,” said Bell.

“But we also realize 4-14 is not going to cut it again. Our fans deserve a winner.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca