The Yorkton Cardinals are in dire financial straits.
New team director Mike Stackhouse told Yorkton This Week Friday the team’s debt sits at $96,000. The league wants that to change.
“The league wants to see whether there’s a commitment from the community to keep the team,” said Stackhouse.
So the team is undertaking a new fundraising effort.
“We are offering shares for $250,” said Stackhouse.
The shares will include “a couple of season tickets and a sense of ownership in the team,” he said.
Stackhouse said the team and league aren’t expecting to retire the entire debt before a decision on the team’s continued existence is made, but there does need to be a significant amount of money pledged to give the league confidence the Cardinals can be viable moving forward.
The Cardinal situation is not a unique one, noted Stackhouse, as the Melville Millionaires are also deep in the red.
Stackhouse said Yorkton is a bigger city, with more people and businesses that can step up to support the team, so he is hopeful the share offering will go well.
People can stop at Cornerstone Credit Union and ‘purchase’ a share by having staff put the fee into a special account that has been established.
There is also an option for e-transfer. Anyone with questions can call 306-621-6652.
The money will be returned should the team not continue into the 2019 season.
In addition to money, the Cardinals are also looking for additional volunteers.
“I would like to see some alumni get involved,” said Stackhouse, adding they have a natural connection to the team.
