Roughriders Report $1.1 Million Operating Loss for 2023 Amid Challenging Economic Conditions

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have reported a net operating loss of $1.1 million for 2023, as detailed in their annual report summary. This financial shortfall is attributed to poor on-field performance, high inflation, and rising interest rates. The team ended the season with a 6-12 record, mirroring their previous year’s performance, and finished fourth in the West Division after losing their final seven games.

The Roughriders generated $35.6 million in revenue against $36.7 million in expenses. However, they noted positive earnings of $1.5 million before accounting for interest and depreciation. The franchise’s net assets stand at $49 million, with a stabilization fund that has increased to $9.6 million.

In contrast, 2022 saw the team earning $39.7 million in total revenues and incurring $35.8 million in expenses. Including $3.3 million from non-operating activities, largely due to hosting the 109th Grey Cup, the Roughriders reported a total profit of $7.2 million that year.

The 2022 CFL title game, held in Regina, was a significant financial boon, generating nearly $70 million in economic activity and contributing $25.7 million to Saskatchewan’s GDP. The team also reinvested $750,000 into the community through its Grey Cup Legacy programs. The 109th Grey Cup featured a thrilling upset by the Toronto Argonauts over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with a final score of 24-23, marking the first championship game at Mosaic Stadium since its opening in 2017.

Despite the financial challenges of 2023, the Roughriders have a history of rebounding, as seen in 2021 when they recorded a net profit of $3.9 million following a $7.5 million loss during the CFL’s cancelled 2020 season.

In terms of fan engagement, Saskatchewan ranked second in regular-season attendance for the second consecutive year, averaging 27,648 fans per game in 2023. This was a slight increase from the 27,431 average in 2022, despite it being their lowest turnout since 2006 and a 4.9 percent drop from 2021.

Looking ahead, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will open their season against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, June 8, at Commonwealth Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EDT.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson Returns to the CFL to Face the Riders

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, the seasoned quarterback known for his impressive stint with the Toronto Argonauts, is making a highly anticipated return to the Canadian Football League (CFL). This weekend, he will take the field with the Ottawa Redblacks to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium, marking his first CFL appearance since his departure to the USFL.

Bethel-Thompson, who led the CFL in passing yards and touchdowns in 2021, brings a wealth of experience and a strong arm back to the league. During his time away, he continued to hone his skills, playing for the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL and further solidifying his reputation as a reliable and formidable quarterback.

The Roughriders, who have faced their share of challenges this season, are preparing for a tough matchup. Bethel-Thompson’s return adds an exciting dimension to the game, promising an intense showdown between two teams eager to prove themselves.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Bethel-Thompson’s return will impact the Redblacks’ performance and whether he can replicate his previous success in the CFL. With his leadership and playmaking abilities, the game against the Roughriders is set to be a must-watch event for CFL enthusiasts.

Kickoff is set for this Saturday, and all eyes will be on Mosaic Stadium as McLeod Bethel-Thompson steps back onto the CFL stage, ready to make his mark once again.

Two Roughriders Heroes Honored for D-Day Valor and Post-War Contributions

The story of two brave soldiers with ties to the Roughriders, who played crucial roles in the Allies’ success on D-Day, June 6, 1944, was recounted. Don McPherson, who would later serve as a volunteer President of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was among the 14,000 Canadian troops that crossed the English Channel to storm the Normandy beaches.

Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, including Flt. Lt. Edward J. Geddes, captured invaluable reconnaissance photographs of the Normandy coastline, aiding the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Geddes, who played 35 games for the Regina Roughriders before joining the RCAF in January 1942, was in the cockpit on D-Day, when 11,590 Allied planes provided support.

Rob Vanstone recounts how two brave soldiers with close ties to the Roughriders contributed to the Allies’ history-changing success on D-Day — June 6, 1944.

📆 https://t.co/dWZVXACl4A pic.twitter.com/kKtEZ9p9BM

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) June 7, 2024

In 1945, both McPherson and Geddes received high honors for their military service. McPherson, twice wounded during the war, was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government in April, in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service. Geddes received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his work on photographic, tactical reconnaissance, and artillery-spotting missions, despite his aircraft sustaining damage on several occasions.

Geddes returned to Regina after the war and played in both Roughriders’ playoff games in 1945. He continued his involvement with the RCAF until 1970, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and working in real estate for 10 years post-military. Geddes passed away on July 1, 1992, at age 71. He was also a member of the Regina Dales team that won the Canadian junior rugby championship in 1938, a team inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1967.

McPherson, who served from 1939 to 1945 in the Canadian Armed Forces, was a member of the tank regiment Fort Garry Horse during the D-Day invasion. His bravery was noted five days after the landing while leading a troop under heavy enemy attack. McPherson became a Roughriders director four years after the war, eventually serving as President from 1955 to 1957 and holding various leadership roles within Canadian football.

In addition to his contributions to the Roughriders, McPherson aided the B.C. Lions by reorganizing the team’s management structure, earning a life membership from the Lions. Known affectionately as “Big Don,” McPherson passed away at age 54 on September 14, 1973.

Injury Report & Game status: 

Injury report & Game status – June 6, 2024 pic.twitter.com/CLJwYpOoSn

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) June 6, 2024