Bauer Steps Down as President and CEO of the Blue Bombers.

Thursday, the Winnipeg Football Club announced that President and CEO Lyle Bauer had resigned.

Jim Bell, V.P. of Finance and Administration for the WFC, will take over immediately as the club's the interim President.

"This is my decision," said Bauer, via telephone from his wife's family's home in Utah. "This decision has no financial impact on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"I appreciate that the board supports me as CEO and always has supported me, but it's time to move on."

When Bauer said that his decision has no financial impact on the club,  he was being sincere. Sources close to the football club told www.rivercitysportsblog.com yesterday that Bauer, who resigned on Tuesday, wanted to be fired in order to be paid out for the final two years (almost $800,000) on his contract. Then he could move on and attempt to take over as CEO in Calgary. However, when the board gave him full support and refused to fire him, Bauer had to take a different route toward the exit.

Bauer leaves with the team in good shape. On-field, the Bombers have been rebuilt by head coach Mike Kelly and player personnel director John Murphy and are probably only a quarterback away from taking a legitimate run at the Grey Cup.

Financially, the club did not have a great year in 2009, but because of the work of Bauer, former mayor Glen Murray and former premier Gary Doer, the team was removed from financial life support back in 2000. Both Murray and Doer forgave more than $5 million in loans and debts, most accumulated by former GM Cal Murphy, and the Bombers have done well ever since.

The Bombers have  a new stadium and a new owner on the way, but when that will occur, is anyone's guess.

Bombers board chairman Ken Hildahl still would not commit to bringing back Mike Kelly as head coach. Hildahl said that decision would be made soon.

At this stage, the Bombers would be foolish to remove Kelly at this stage, but stranger things have happened.