The Bombers have cleaned house following months of frustration and anger from fans over constant losses, stadium delays and problems. But it also means the team will be paying out contracts for its former CEO and general manager.
The team turfed CEO Garth Buchko and installed former Bomber player Wade Miller as acting CEO.
One of Miller’s first moves was to fire general manager Joe Mack Friday.
“A GM has the responsibility to win football games. Let’s call a spade a spade, under Joe Mack, the record speaks for itself,” said Miller.
The Bombers have lost five games and won one this season and only have sold out the Investors Group Field at one game this year.
"To our fans, I want you to know I'm committed to the heavy lifting required to put us on a new path and affect the kind of change that will lead us into a new direction. These aren't empty words," said Miller.
Fans said a shakeup was certainly needed.
"You got to do it. They're stinking up the joint so, you know, they needed the change,” said Bill Nathanail.
“Getting rid of Joe Mack was a great decision because he ruined the team,” said Craig Milner.
Many fans CTV spoke to say they are enthusiastic about the team's front office shakeup but say they know it will take some time for those changes to translate into on-field success.
“I think this season is going to be a struggle for the team. Us fans will continue to come, but they needed to make these changes for the future,” said Brock Brown.
After meeting for 12 hours over the last two days, the board decided to replace Buchko with Miller.
Regarding the firing of Buchko, the team’s board of directors would only say they need to go in a new direction. Under Buchko’s watch, the new stadium opened a year late.
Miller, a former fullback, played 11 seasons with the Bombers.
He said his next priority is to work with assistant general manager Kyle Walters and head coach Tim Burke for an internal look at the football operations.
While many hope the changes translate into a better team, the Bombers will also be on the hook for paying out contracts for the turfed Buchko, Mack and former coach Paul LaPolice.
"We aren't able to disclose the financial specifics of employment arrangements. I did acknowledge that this is not an insignificant matter for us,” said Brock Bulbuck, chairman of the Bombers’ board.
The cost of the contracts is not publicly known, including whether or not there were buyout clauses.
- with reports from Ben Miljure and Kevin Olszewski and files from The Canadian Press
