Saskatchewan Roughriders Face $1.1M Loss Amid On-Field Struggles, Seek Fan Engagement to Rebound

After consecutive disappointing seasons, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are feeling the financial strain. The team announced at its Annual General Meeting that it ended the 2023 season with a $1.1 million operating net loss.

“The club recognizes the financial results achieved in 2023/24 are not to the level we all expect,” said Saskatchewan Roughriders CFO

Paul attributed the loss to two main factors: the team’s poor on-field performance, finishing with a 6-12 record and missing the playoffs, and broader economic issues.

“The economy with high inflation and increasing interest rates over the last couple of years has affected everyone in Rider Nation and challenged their disposable income and ability to attend Rider games,” Paul explained.

Despite these challenges, the Roughriders continue to lead the CFL in television ratings. The 2023/24 report highlighted an 18 percent increase in viewership from the previous season, with an average of 625,000 viewers per game. The team also boasted the three highest-viewed games of the year, including nearly one million viewers for the Labour Day Classic.

In an effort to boost attendance at Mosaic Stadium, the Roughriders have introduced several fan-friendly initiatives. Youth tickets are now available throughout most of the stadium at 50 percent off the price of an adult ticket, and $5 beer is back during a happy hour from 90 to 30 minutes before kickoff.

Craig Reynolds, the Saskatchewan Roughriders president and CEO, emphasized the importance of attracting younger fans. “When we introduced family packs, the first year we sold 2,000 of them and then last year we sold 7,000 of them,” Reynolds said. “So despite the fact that the crowds weren’t necessarily where we wanted them to be last year, we felt really good that we were able to get a lot more young families in and I think that will pay off down the road.”

Ultimately, the Roughriders’ leadership believes that winning games is the key to rekindling fan excitement and filling up Mosaic Stadium. With two straight wins to start the current season, the team appears to be headed in the right direction as they prepare for Sunday’s home opener.

The Roughriders are determined to overcome financial hurdles and restore their status both on and off the field, betting on a combination of community engagement and on-field success to secure a brighter future.