Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have confirmed that star receiver Kenny Lawler will miss the CFL season opener due to an upper-body injury.
Lawler left the field just before halftime with what appeared to be an injury to his hand, wrist, or forearm. Before his departure, he managed three receptions for 26 yards, while the Bombers trailed the Montreal Alouettes 14-5 at halftime.
During the past season, the 29-year-old Lawler caught 50 passes for 901 yards and six touchdowns over 12 games. He showcased his skills in the West Final against the B.C. Lions with six receptions for 83 yards, and in the Grey Cup against the Montreal Alouettes with three catches for 77 yards.
Hailing from Pomona, California, Lawler has an impressive career record of 215 receptions for 3,446 yards and 21 touchdowns since 2019. He is a two-time West Division all-star, a one-time CFL all-star, and a two-time Grey Cup champion.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Report $5.7M Profit for 2023, Highlighting Financial Growth Amid Increased Attendance
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced a substantial operating profit of $5.7 million for 2023, reflecting a significant increase of nearly $1 million from the previous year. This growth is notable given that 2022 was already a record-setting year for the team in terms of gate revenue and merchandise sales. Additionally, the 2023 profit more than doubles the $2.8 million earned in 2021, highlighting a trend of financial improvement, as reported by Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press.
The team’s total revenue for 2023 reached $50.5 million, an 11% increase from the previous year, amounting to an additional $5.1 million. This boost was largely attributed to the Blue Bombers hosting the West Final for the third consecutive year and leading the CFL in attendance for the second year in a row. On average, 30,449 fans attended each game in 2023, up from an average of 28,642 in 2022. Ticket sales alone brought in $15.1 million, accounting for nearly 30% of the team’s total revenue.
However, the Blue Bombers’ operating expenses also saw a rise, coming in just shy of $45 million, which marks an increase of nearly $4.5 million from the previous year. Despite the overall positive financial performance, a significant concern highlighted in the report was the $1.25 million loss incurred by Valour FC, Winnipeg’s professional soccer team. This marks the third consecutive year that Valour FC has operated at a loss, posing a financial challenge for the organization.
