The Packers' Impact On Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers are more than a professional sports team. They are more than just an NFL franchise. The Green Bay Packers are the heart and soul of sports fans in Wisconsin and all around the country. The Packers don’t only serve as a favorite team; they also serve as a symbol of culture and pride, boasting the most passionate fans. Taking it a step further than the intangibles, the Packers are also a significant engine for economic growth in Green Bay and the state as a whole. 

 

History

On August 11th, 1919, the Green Bay Packers were founded. The team started as a semipro team that had gained sponsorship from the local Packing Co., thus this is how the Packers originally got their team name. Years later, after competing against statewide semipro teams, the Packers would join the American Professional Association in 1921, which would change their name to the National Football League. When they first joined the NFL, they were the smallest city to have a professional team, and that has stayed the same to this day. Green Bay is actually the smallest market for any professional sports team. But being the smallest market never held back the team as they won a record 9 championships and four Super Bowls. Because the Packers started in the smallest market, their stadium, Lambeau Field, is connected to the residential area in Green Bay. The Packers also aren’t owned by any one person. The franchise is completely owned by shareholders, making it the only franchise in all of professional sports that is publicly owned.

 

Cultural Importance 

Since the Packers are the only professional sports team that is owned by fan shareholders, their fans are known for how passionate they are. The Packers have the longest sellout streak in the NFL, dating back to 1959 to the present day.  Packer season tickets also have a wait list of 30-50 years!  It’s the small-town atmosphere that continues to fuel passion for Packer football, as it has become a tradition passed down through generations. The culture and traditions are a big reason why the passion for the Packers can be passed down. Traditions like training camp bike rides between the players and young fans, tailgating, the stadium food of beer, brats, and cheese curds, and even the Lambeau Leap, which is the most popular and longest-lasting celebration tradition in the NFL. 

 

The Packers also retain their loyal fans and stakeholders with the franchise's large philanthropy and community support efforts. The Packers Foundation is an organization that donates millions annually to the local schools, youth sports programs, food banks, community improvement projects, and many other local nonprofit organizations. 

 

Economic advantages of Lambeau Field 

Lambeau Field is one of the biggest economic boosts in the state. It’s reported that an average of 15 million dollars is brought into the local economy every single home. Another example of how important Lambeau Field is to the local and state economy was the NFL draft this year. The event was held in Green Bay for he first time ever and was a massive economic success. The local economy reported an inflow of 72.9 million dollars. The state also had a massive inflow at 104.7 million dollars in just 3 days. Aside from football activities, the stadium holds 81,000 people, which makes it a popular place to hold other events and concerts during the offseason. Lambeau Field is also home to Title Town, which is a recreational area outside the stadium. Outside of Lambeau’s Walls, Title Town hosts events such as tubing, ice skating, a large public park, dining, and many other local businesses. This makes Lambeau one of the most valuable financial assets in the state of Wisconsin as it brings in millions of dollars year-round.