Spits invest in team and community
Re: Junior hockey lawsuit opens debate on finances, player pay, by Mary Caton, March 3. The Windsor Spitfires have been a proud part of the Windsor community since the early 1970s. Later this year, we will proudly host the 2017 Memorial Cup.
With this in mind, it is important for the community to have an accurate portrait of both the team and major junior hockey in Canada.
The Spitfires, along with our fellow Canadian Hockey League clubs, take great pride in offering a world-class experience for our players — the hallmark of which is one of the most comprehensive education and post-secondary scholarship programs in North America.
In addition, we provide our players with room and board, top-of-the-line training and equipment, travel and education costs, and a stipend. The OHL also has leading-edge programs aimed at antidoping, mental health and respect for women.
We know that these programs help us develop strong players both on and off the ice. But they come with a price.
The league and team financial documents recently produced in court were compiled by KPMG and analyzed by leading sport finance expert Norm O’Reilly and include the 2012-15 financial statements of the Spitfires. Over that four-year period, the club broke even with annual revenues and expenses of approximately $4.5 million.
According to the financial statements, the club spent just over $1 million on player benefits over the four-year period.
In 2006, the club established the Windsor Spitfires Foundation, which to date has donated $366,990 in support of many charitable groups and social agencies in Windsor and Essex County.
The Windsor Spitfires will continue to invest in our players, our player experience and the community. The success of our players on and off the ice is all the evidence we need to know our system has met its objectives.