A Fan-owned Franchise: The Green Bay Packers
I’m leaving the topic of Utah for this post to explore a uniquely funded football franchise in the badger state.
With a population of 104,207, Green Bay, Wisconsin is the smallest city in the United States with a major pro-sports team: the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
The football team is unique because it doesn’t have a single owner or small group of investors as owners, but rather, it’s owned by fans. According to CNN Money, the owners/fans don’t receive dividends or free or discounted tickets, but instead, they buy shares in the organization for the greater good of the community and team. The Packers adopted the model in 1923, when the franchise was facing bankruptcy.
The results of the ownership model are evident in the Packers’ success. The team has 13 national championships (the most of any NFL team). The Packers have also recruited some of the league’s greatest talent. Vince Lombardi coached the team from 1959–1967 (his legacy is so great, he’s the namesake of the trophy given to Super Bowl champions). Brett Favre also played quarterback for the team from 1992–2007. While Reggie White played defense for the Packers from 1993–1998. Other Packers legends include Bart Starr, Forrest Gregg, Don Hutson and Jim Taylor.
Packers fans (known as cheeseheads) are among the most rabid of any professional-sports team. According to the Packers’ website, since 1960, every game at played at the franchise’s home turf of Lambeau Field has sold out. Currently, the stadium has a seating capacity of 80,375. There’s a long waitlist for season tickets. The tickets are so coveted they are left to family members in the wills of Packer fans.
The Packers are also financially successful. According to ESPN, in 2015, the Packers earned $48.5 million. ESPN also reports the team has 360,760 shareholders, and each year from 2012–2015 the franchise was the ninth highest grossing team in the NFL.
