CALGARY - Longtime CFL executive Lyle Bauer was hired Monday as the Calgary Stampeders president and chief executive officer.Bauer replaces Scott Ackles, who had stepped down to become the chairman of the 2011 Grey Cup in Vancouver.
“Lyle brings tremendous administration skills to the Stampeders and we’re excited about having him take control of the club’s business operations,” John Forzani, Calgary’s managing partner of business of operations, said in a statement. “He did an exceptional job of turning around the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ financial situation and has also been very successful in his non-football business pursuits.”
Bauer, a cancer survivor, became Winnipeg’s president and chief executive officer in February 2000, taking over a franchise that was nearly $5 million in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy. Bauer resigned from the CFL club last month, not only leaving it with money in the bank but also $5 million in its rainy day fund.
Bauer will oversee and operate all of the Stampeders’ business operations while head coach-GM John Hufnagel continues to handle all aspects of football operations.
“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to be a part of an organization like the Calgary Stampeders,” said Bauer. "Over the years, I have been able to watch the commitment this ownership group has demonstrated to ensure the viability of this organization for the city, their fans, staff and players.
“They have also demonstrated the commitment to acquire the best talent on and off the field and understand the required investment to be a premier franchise in the Canadian Football League.”
Bauer spent 10 seasons as an offensive lineman with the Bombers, appearing in 161 regular-season games. He helped Winnipeg win Grey Cups in 1984, 1988 and 1990. He also served as the team’s player rep and was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 1998.
Bauer became Winnipeg’s assistant GM upon his retirement following the '91 season. He held that position for three years before becoming the general manager during Cal Murphy’s absence in 1992.
He left the Bombers in 1995 to pursue business opportunities in the grain industry, working for AgPro in Calgary where he served as the company’s general manager.
During Bauer’s tenure in Winnipeg, the Bombers reached the playoff seven times and twice advanced to the Grey Cup, losing both times.
http://tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=306710