The Green Bay Packers are a truly unique team! Founded way back in 1919, they joined the NFL in 1921 and have since built a solid reputation. Legendary figures like Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi led the Packers to multiple championships, including the first two Super Bowls. Playing their games at Lambeau Field, they are part of the NFC North division and hold a strong winning record against their division rivals.

But, this isn’t the only intriguing aspect of the Packers. They stand apart from other teams with their unique ownership structure. Yes, the Packers are the only publicly owned team in the NFL! With a community-owned, non-profit model, they’ve maintained strong financial health and local control.

Who owns the Green Bay Packers?

Unlike other NFL teams, typically owned by wealthy individuals or families, the Packers are astonishingly owned by the fans. There is no billionaire owner, and their net worth isn’t skyrocketing to enormous levels like other franchises.

Valued at $6.3 billion, the Packers rank 12th on CNBC’s 2024 NFL Team Valuations list. The shareholders across Wisconsin take charge of the team, and while they have voting rights, they do not profit from ownership. This ownership structure has given the team a distinct and noteworthy identity.

The team uses its revenue to fund player salaries, maintain Lambeau Field, and deploy stock offerings for renovations and stability. While they have continued with this nonprofit, fan-owned structure, rumors are rife that Jordan Love, the Packers’ QB, has received a loan of over half a million dollars to purchase a majority share in the team.

It is speculated that he holds over 51% of the shares, even though the team is publicly owned. If true, this would make him the effective owner. However, ownership is capped at 200,000 shares per person, accounting for less than 4% of the total shares, so it’s unclear how this will play out.

Who is in control of the Green Bay Packers?

According to sources, a collective of 538,000 shareholders owns more than 5.2 million shares in the Packers. These shares do not provide dividends or financial gain. To date, the team has held six stock sales—in 1923, 1935, 1950, 1997, 2011, and 2021—to raise funds. These sales have been necessary to prevent financial struggles and to make stadium improvements. The most recent sale, in 2021, was used to renovate Lambeau Field and enhance the concourses.

Thus, while the fans own the team, the Packers are overseen by a seven-member executive committee and a 43-member board of directors, who handle decision-making. Mark Murphy, the current Packers President and CEO, plays a major role in the team’s operations but is set to retire in 2025, with Ed Policy poised as his successor.

Due to the Packers’ unique fan-ownership structure, private equity investors do not invest in the team. Despite Green Bay being the smallest television market in the NFL, the team benefits from overwhelming fan support in its community-centric environment. This support has given the Packers a stable footing and allowed them to continue their legacy.