https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/city-to-cut-ties-with-football-club-512507602.html
Mayor Brian Bowman wants city hall to consider ending its ties with the Winnipeg Football Club and the public agency that owns its stadium.
Bowman brought a motion to the executive policy committee Tuesday, calling on the administration to review all agreements with the CFL team and Triple B Stadium Inc.
The mayor told reporters he doesn’t believe city hall should have a representative on the WFC board, adding it doesn’t have a similar arrangement with either the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets or the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball team.
He also wants to distance city property taxpayers from any liabilities to IG Field.
"I’m not sure having political appointments on the board of a professional sports team makes sense at this stage," Bowman said. "If we can mitigate the financial risks of taxpayers going forward, that’s something I’d like to look at."
The City of Winnipeg is one of three shareholders of Triple B Stadium Inc., along with the Winnipeg Football Club and University of Manitoba.
Bowman cited the provincial auditor general’s investigation of the stadium deal, and the fact the provincial government had written off a $200-million loan related to it.
EPC unanimously supported the proposal, directing the administration to prepare a report in 120 days reviewing all current agreements with the team and Triple B; and identifying steps to terminate representations with both and "steps necessary to potentially divest the City of Winnipeg of its membership interest in Triple B."