From warranty to sales: Blue Bombers business 'next level'

Content of the article

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers player Bob Cameron used to say that if you play long enough, eventually you will see everything.

Content of the article

The same can be said about sports writing.

Content of the article

It seems like only a few days ago that the Bombers were the on-field kick of Canadian football.

But bailouts, red ink and instability gave way to sales, record profits and an even more profitable franchise.

Despite back-to-back losses in Gray Cup play, the Bombers banked back-to-back record wins.

The public organization opened its books Thursday as required, showing a profit of $5.7 million last year, better than the $4.9 million it made in 2022.

The drivers were record high revenues from gate receipts, merchandise and concession sales.

After leading the CFL for the first time in 22 years, the Bombers did it again last year, finishing with five straight sellout crowds and averaging more than 30,000 fans per game.

Content of the article

“The energy that our fans bring to this stadium every game, our corporate partners, the business community, the support that we have has been incredible,” team president/CEO Wade Miller told the Winnipeg Sun. “It's next level right now.”

The Bombers' total revenue is reported to be $50.5 million, an increase of $5.1 million from 2022.

Gate receipts alone brought in $15.1 million, up $1.3 million from last year.

“And that feeds everything else,” Miller said. “This will help merchandise (and) concessions reach an all-time high.”

The Bombers made $11.5 million in jersey, hat, hot dog and beer sales last year, up nearly $1 million from the previous season.

Fans have also eaten up the game on the field, with their team posting league-leading 14-4 and 15-3 records over the past two years, winning the West Finals twice, and losing in the championship games to Montreal and Toronto last season. '22.

Content of the article

Content of the article

These losses did not dampen financial sentiment.

It's surprising how big a factor the win-loss record is in all of this.

Let's say the Bombers go 9-9 or worse for several seasons and come nowhere near the Gray Cup. So what?

“You can't really predict that,” Miller said. “I don't want to know.”

In the big chair since 2013, the former quarterback believes the organization has created such a positive game day that has weathered difficult years on the field.

Part of its mandate is to plan for just that.

Last year's windfall allowed him to add another $1 million to his $6.6 million reserve entertainment.

You only have to look two provinces to the west to see what's coming down south.

Content of the article

Edmonton, one of the League's pillars of community ownership, recently invited private owners along with Winnipeg and Saskatchewan.

Hemorrhaging cash for the past five years, the Elks have averaged attendance below 23,000 per game each of the past two seasons, burning through the huge reserves they built up in the good days when they regularly drew crowds of more than 40,000.

“They've had some tough, tough years,” Miller said. “That's good news, people who want to own a team in Edmonton are showing interest. That's the reason we have a reserve in place because of that, to make sure we can make it through the lean years.”

Miller is confident the green and gold will make a comeback.

Content of the article

One advantage the blue and gold have is complete control of their stadium.

This also means full responsibility.

An agreement with the provincial government means creating a capital fund to maintain and improve the site.

The Bombers added $5 million to it, almost doubling it. About $2 million of that will pay for new turf this season.

It's the kind of loss that leaves old bombers scrambling for help.

For Miller and his staff, it's just another budget line for what has become a $50 million operation.

Other improvements this year include the construction of a permanent stage in the tailgate area.

According to the boss, ticket prices will increase by two percent on average.

Content of the article

He plans to deliver at least that much more for fans every game.

“When you have 30,000-plus people for seven games, we're reaching new fans who aren't football fans,” Miller said. “And we want to see more of those people … come out and experience what game day is like. Because you don't need to be a football fan.”

This is a good time to be one.

Miller: Valor FC is unsustainable at its current level of support

The only blemish on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' 2023 financial statements came from the organization's entry into professional football.

After dropping nearly $1 million in 2022, Valor FC cost the Bombers another $1.25 million last year.

Bombers president/CEO Wade Miller admits it's not sustainable.

“We've made some changes to operations this year,” Miller said. “We've got to win on the field, but we've got to get over 5,000 … for that to be something we can go on.”

Content of the article

Miller says he won't give up on the Canadian Premier League franchise.

Valor has added a strength coach this season who will be on the field and dedicated to football-only ticket holders.

The rest will be up to the fans.

“We believe in soccer, but at the same time, we need this community to come out and say they want professional soccer in Manitoba,” Miller said. “We have to win on the field and work well. We will continue to move forward and work hard.”

The Valor have averaged nearly 3,100 fans over the past two seasons and compiled a 16-25 league record with 15 ties.

[email protected]
X: @friesensunmedia

Content of the article