Fired head coaches cost Bombers in ’09

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This article was published 07/04/2010 (5906 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Winnipeg Blue Bomber President Jim Bell speaks to media after announcing the financial results from the 2009 Bomber season. Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press

It’s official: paint the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2009 financial bottom line bright, bright red.

The Bombers announced Wednesday morning an ‘09 operating loss of $1.2 million, reducing their overall net assets from $5.1 million to $3.9 million.

It’s the second time in the last three seasons the organization has posted an operating loss — after posting a profit of $761,095 in 2008 but losing $263,877 in 2007 – and the biggest financial bath the team has taken since a $1.5 million loss in 1999.

The big hit in the loss came in the form of $982,000 in severance costs paid out to former head coaches Mike Kelly and Doug Berry, along with assistant coaches from last season, director of player personnel John Murphy. President CEO Lyle Bauer received a small payment for vacation pay owed him.

The club also saw drops in overall game revenue ($73,000), CFL revenue ($150,000), and their own overall revenue ($600,000) following a decline in corporate sponsorship, attendance, merchandise sales, etc.

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“Obviously 2009 – from every perspective – was a disaster,” said out-going Bomber chairman Ken Hildahl. “On the field the competitiveness just wasn’t there, the fan experience just wasn’t there and certainly the financial statements speak for themselves – although a lot of the deficit is attributable to the changes that were made in the front office and in football operations.

“But the club is still in very sound financial condition. We’re extremely disappointed in the $1.2 million operating loss for 2009, but there’s a lot of optimism.”

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca