Bombers, MPI unveil new Grey Cup-champion licence plates

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This article was published 31/05/2020 (1425 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pandemic or no pandemic, Bombers pride isn’t letting up any time soon.

The defending Canadian Football League champions and Manitoba Public Insurance unveiled new licence plates commemorating last November’s 107th Grey Cup victory, Winnipeg’s first in three decades.

“The response to the Grey Cup win has truly been overwhelming, and that has carried through the off-season and even into as we talk today,” said Bombers’ spokesperson Darren Cameron in an email Monday.

“The Grey Cup book which commemorates the season has been a really popular item, and overall fans just continue to be elated by what transpired last November. They really are the best football fans in this country and as an organization we really look forward to having them back.”

The Bombers ended the miserable 29-year drought on Nov. 24 with a convincing 33-12 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Calgary.

The new plates, which went on sale Monday, are blue — of course — and display the Blue Bombers’ 107th Grey Cup Champions logo, along with the provincial bison the words “Blue Bombers” emblazoned across the bottom.

Each set of plates costs $70, MPI announced, and can be purchased by making an application at any provincial Autopac outlet or MPI Service Centre. The Winnipeg Football Club will receive $30 for every set sold. Fans can also purchase a plate as a souvenir with an additional $15 administrative and processing fee.

“We are absolutely delighted to work in partnership with the Bombers, Grey Cup victories are always a reason to celebrate,” MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley said Monday.

MPI said the old gold Bombers plates, released in June 2013, will be discontinued, however those looking to trade in their gold plates for the newer, bluer model can contact Autopac for assistance, according to the Bombers’ website.

The plates are not limited edition, joining a throng of 11 speciality plates MPI offers for various groups in the province—including the Winnipeg Jets and Goldeyes. The Bombers plates are being released in numerical order, so specific numbers are unavailable.

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca