  Look no further than the disaster created by the hiring of head coach Mike Kelly to explain the Bombers huge financial losses. (QMI Agency/Marcel Cretain) |
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today confirmed a loss of $1.2 million last year, most of which was the result of paying severance to head coach Mike Kelly and his staff.
Just under $1 million went to rid the Bombers of the contracts of Kelly, his assistant coaches, president/CEO Lyle Bauer and some front office staff, along with the final payments to former head coach Doug Berry, fired following the 2008 season.
Poor crowds after last year's embarrassing loss to Saskatchewan in September's Banjo Bowl also contributed to the disastrous bottom line, the team's worst financial bath in 10 years.
Winnipeg's game-day and CFL revenue were down from the year before, when the Bombers made a $761,000-profit. Non-game revenue took a significant hit, dropping off by some $600,000, much of it reflected in falling souvenir sales at the Bomber store.
Overall expenses increased by $1.5 million over 2008.
The community-owned franchise still has a surplus of $3.9 million, $2.6 million of which is cash.
