The Wisconsin Legislature approved a nearly $500 million funding package to renovate American Family Field, solidifying the future of the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin, their home since 1970.
After months of back-and-forth negotiations, as well as prior proposals and subsequent withdrawals to relocate the team, the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate on Tuesday passed an amendment that would keep the Brewers in Milwaukee until at least 2050. approved the bill.
The new package calls for $365.8 million from the state, $135 million from the city and county of Milwaukee, and another $150 million from the Brewers, including rent payments. The bill will now go to Gov. Tony Evers, who has been a strong proponent of stadium funding and has praised the bipartisan effort to approve funding.
The Southeast Wisconsin Baseball Park District, which owns the facility, has always been responsible for renovations aimed at ensuring the 22-year-old ballpark’s functional lifespan for generations to come. But the funding debate still adds to a long-running debate across the United States over tax dollars being used to enrich private sports organizations.
“The Brewers don’t need this cash,” said state Sen. Chris Larson. “The Brewers have determined they need additional funds, and we’re excited about it.”
important lifeline
The approved funds will allow the Brewers to sign a 20-year lease extension. The issue was significant for the Brewers, who currently play in MLB’s smallest media market. That will soon change once the Oakland Athletics move to Las Vegas, but the Brewers’ margin for error is still smaller than many other MLB clubs.
“We knew the scope of the bill would be different than originally, but we knew there was support for our team in the state and we were confident,” Brewers Director of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger said. Ta. “We recognized the value of keeping the Brewers here, keeping the ballpark in great condition, and we stuck to the story.”