Blue Bombers score $2.3M profit

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers capped their strong 2011 season with a mighty profit in excess of $2 million.

Jim Bell, the team'schief operating officer, announced Mondaythe clubs net earnings from operations in 2011 are $3.014 million with an overall net profit of $2.333 million after stadium development costs.

That's a major leap from2010, when the club posted a net profit of $409,191.

"We're very, very pleased," said president and CEO Garth Buchko.

"The staff, both football operations and administration, should be commended on a great season. We had a tremendous turnaround in football and all aspects of the organization are on the rise. Were very pleased with these results."

As a result, the club's overall net surplus has risen to $6.629 million, up from $4.296 millionat the end of 2010.

The surplus was propelled by a 2011 seasonthat started on a high note with record ticket salesand continued with several sell-outs, even with temporary bleacher seats added.

"We were very close to having every seat filled every night here, posting eight sellouts in a row," Bell said.

"The support for this team and this organization is just monumental and wed like to thank all fans of the Blue Bombers and all of our corporate sponsors for their continued support."

The team went 6-1 early on, erasing memories of the previous season's 4-14 record.

But theywent into a tailspin for a bit beforeholdingon to finish atop of the East Division at 10-8. The Bombers eventually went on to theGrey Cup championship game,where they fell 34-23 to the B.C. Lions.