![]() But the spirit associated with the Green Bay Packers, as well as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid-two of Europe’s most successful football (soccer) teams-demonstrates how sports teams can thrive when their fans own them.ĭoing with, rather than to or for, may be the next development for sports teams in a new reality. Whether fans owning teams is a trend that will spread to other locales, including the U.S., is an open question. In Europe, a growing number of teams have become fan-owned football teams, particularly in the U.K., where there are a number of “protest” or “phoenix” teams that have been formed in response to dissatisfaction with private owners, or when teams have shut down. It’s a city of only a hundred thousand people, while much bigger cities see their sports teams move away, much to the consternation of local fans. 1921 Green Bay Packers professional football teamīy engaging with its fans, the Green Bay Packers football team has an unshakable base of support that securely anchors the team to Green Bay, Wisconsin. If the team dissolves, all profits and assets go to community programs and charities. The board of directors, except for the elected CEO, all serve without pay. The Packers are the only American major-league sports franchise to release its financial balance sheet every year. While non-profit corporations must be just as businesslike as their counterparts, they have different motives and behaviors than for-profit corporations. Non-profits are not a replacement for profit-making corporations, but they provide a good way to run a business that is accountable to the local community. Despite the fact that a share costs $250, “pays no dividends, benefits from no earnings, isn’t tradable and has no securities-law protection…buyers can’t get enough.” A tax expert on Wall Street remarked, “I’ve never seen a stock offering where people pay so much and get so little.”īut that’s how non-profit corporations can accomplish things that people want done, but which profit-making corporations would not likely undertake nor sustain. On August 18,1923, the Hungry Five-so named because they were always begging for money to keep the Packers alive-persuaded the National Football League to make an exception to the rule that a team must be owned by an individual or a small group of owners.Ĭonsequently, over 360,000 shareholders today own more than 5 million shares of non-profit corporate stock. transactions can be completed by mail, and paid for with a personal check or cashier’s check.Ĭontact Richard Ryman at (920) 431-8342 or Follow him on Twitter at on Instagram at or on Facebook at Green Bay Packers football team is the only major sports franchise in North America whose fans own the team. Shareholding fans have gotten the team through five devastating stock sales: 1923, 1935, 1950, 19. No single shareholder can own more than roughly 4 percent of the available shares. Individuals can view offering documents and purchase shares at . Individuals without internet access can request mail-in documents toll-free at (833) 696-7225. According to the Packers website, the team is owned by a total of 361,300 people (that represent approximately 5,009,400 shares). The money cannot be used for operations or football facilities. RELATED: Four volume Green Bay Packers history debunks myths, provides definitive story of team's first 100 yearsīefore this sale, the team had 361,300 shareholders who collectively owned about 5 million shares. Individuals are limited to 200 shares, including any shares acquired in the 19 sales.Īccording to NFL rules, the Packers can use the money only for projects which directly affect the fans. RELATED: Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones nominated for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award The 20 sales are for continued construction projects at the stadium. The 1997 sale was for the renovation of Lambeau Field. The first three sales, in 1923, 1935 and 1950, bailed the team out of dire finance straits. This is the sixth stock sale in the team's 102-year history. ![]() Shareholders do have the right to vote for directors and other items during the team's annual meeting in July. It does not pay dividends and cannot be resold. Stock in the Packers is not a financial investment. The Packers reported 2,361 purchases were made from Canada. 16, is approved in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the American territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Team President and CEO Mark Murphy said the money will go toward $250 million in Lambeau Field projects, including concession stands renovation and new digital video scoreboards. 25, the team will raise $90 million, exclusive of handling fees. If all shares are sold by the time the sale ends on Feb. Rather, individuals who have purchased shares of stock in the Green Bay Packers, a non-profit organization, publicly own the team. GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers stock sale raised $54 million through Wednesday, which resulted in 165,000 of 300,000 shares sold.
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