Winnipeg Blue Bombers post $3.9M operating profit

What's blue and gold and in the black? The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who turned anoperating profit of $3.9 million from 2014.

The profit is an increase of $1 million overthe 2013 season, according to theWinnipeg Football Club (WFC), which released its 2014 Annual Report on Wednesday.

"These solid results were due to revenue growth of 10.7 per cent,as almost all of the club's significant revenue streams had positive increases in 2014, including double digit growth in corporate partnerships, suites, and concessions," Bomber president and CEOWade Millerstated in a news release.

"Season ticket revenue and game day tickets, which make up total game revenue, continue to be the club's major revenue source at 37 per centof total operating revenue."

The profit ishelping the team pay offits new stadium.In December 2014, the WFCmade its first scheduled payment of $4.5 Million to Triple B Stadium Inc., as a first payment on Investors Group Field.

"From the first day I began as CEO, it's been a one of our top priorities of WFC board and myself to always meet our financial obligations as a football club," Miller said.

The profit is good news after a season that didn't have much of that.

• Winnipeg football stadium owners sue architect, contractor over problems

The Bombers finishedout of the playoffs once again (they haven't made the post-season since 2011), after placing eighth in the nine-team CFL.

Their new stadium, Investors Group Field which has only been open since 2013has also been marred by problems with cracks, leaks, poor insulation, and drainage problems thatwill take millions of dollars to fix.

Triple B Stadium Inc.,the consortium that owns IGF andfunded the construction of the 33,500-seat facility at the University of Manitoba, has fileda lawsuit against construction company StuartOlsonand architect Ray Wan.