The Packers are literally losing money every time they put on a show at Lambeau Field, and guess what, folks? They’re totally cool with it. But if you think it’s some front-office blunder—nah, you’re wrong. It’s all part of a crazy master plan. 

As much as it’s all for the love of the game – where passion and enjoyment for football mean more to franchises and fans than money – no one can deny that the big bucks are, in fact, crucial in the NFL. So, why would the Packers intentionally forgo the opportunity to make an extra $1.5 million at every home game? Well, as it so happens, it is for the love of the game… and for the love of its fans. Particularly those from Brown County, Wisconsin.

As reported by NFL insider and Pocket Presence podcast co-host Tyler Webb on X, Brown County residents had to pay an extra 0.5% sales tax to help fund renovations to Lambeau Field (completed in 2003) between 2000 and 2015. While that amounted to approximately $20.6 million extra in revenue each year during that time, the Packers started a program to thank Brown County residents.

As part of the annual Brown County Ticket Drawing, “Every March, Brown County residents can pay $524 to enter a lottery where they receive four tickets to a random Packers home game.” While the entry fee may seem quite high, if you break it down, it’ll add up to around $131 per ticket only. Considering an average ticket for a Packers home game costs around $200, the franchise misses out on making around $69 more per ticket sold per game. If that seemed confusing, here’s the math: –

• Average cost of a regular ticket: $200
• Average cost of a lottery ticket: $131
• Average loss per lottery ticket for the Packers: $(200-131) = $69

Now, the Packers have 9 home games this season, and considering there are around 2500 lottery ticket attendees per game, that’ll add up to approximately $1.55 million [~$170,000/game (69*2500) multiplied by the number of games (9)]. So, as Tyler Webb put it, “The Green Bay Packers are losing out on over $170,000 per game… on purpose.” But as we mentioned earlier, it’s to show their appreciation for the Packers fanbase. Although they’re missing out on $1.5 million every home game, turns out the extra sales tax is still paying dividends. 

Back in 2020, Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said, “It gives us a financial base that, really, I can’t imagine what it would be like without it. I think it went well beyond what Bob [Harlan, former Packers President] even envisioned.” The Brown County residents’ contribution over the years added up to a whopping $309.5 million. That said, while they may not be making as much as they can in ticket sales every year, the Green Bay Packers could potentially add $410,000 to their salary cap next season. And that’s thanks to their quarterback, Jordan Love.

In July, Love signed a 4-year, $220M contract extension, which included a record $75 million signing bonus. Fast forward to the first game of the regular season (against the Eagles in Brazil), Love went down with an MCL sprain. The injury wasn’t season-ending (thank God!), but it did come with serious financial implications. So, how does Green Bay deal with that? Insurance.

Per ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, “Unlike the Jets, the Packers and the Dolphins both have insurance policies on their quarterbacks, who got new contracts this offseason. Green Bay is a longtime insurance customer.” The team from Wisconsin has an insurance policy on the Utah State Aggies’ QB, ensuring that their $100.8M guarantee is at least somewhat covered if things go south. Now, let’s break it down.

Jordan Love’s base salary is about $3.5 million. This implies that the QB can pull in a casual $205k every Sunday. And the Packers? They’re letting him rest (but obviously, not without protecting their wallet). Although they haven’t disclosed the terms of the insurance policy, it could allow them to recoup up to $410,000 if the New Mexico Bowl MVP ends up missing a couple of games (give or take, depending on the fine print). That’s cap space gold right there!

What’s even crazier is that this isn’t a one-off move for Green Bay. The Packers keep insurance policies on big contracts—unlike the Jets, who don’t. Remember, they rolled the dice by ditching veteran QB Aaron Rodgers’ insurance? That didn’t work out great for them, though. 

But hey, if you think this is about pocketing some spare change, it’s not. The Packers play the long game, especially as a non-profit organization (which is pretty rare in the NFL). Having this insurance in place, they can actually credit that recouped money to their 2025 salary cap, which allows them legitimate flexibility when the dust settles. That $400k boost could make all the difference in the world when they want to extend or sign back key players in free agency. 

So, while it seems chaotic that the Packers are watching money vanish home game after home game, it’s actually a calculated move. Love’s getting healthier, Green Bay’s getting smarter, and the insurance is doing its thing. And just in case you’re wondering what Jordan Love’s injury status is like, NFL insider Ian Rapoport has got some fresh news. 

Ian Rapoport reveals details about Jordan Love’s injury and the Packers’ QB situation 

Love’s knee injury? The hottest topic in Green Bay right now. On The Insiders, Rapoport laid it out: the 25-year-old’s left MCL (that got banged up in Brazil during the Packers vs. Eagles’ season-opener) still isn’t game-ready. And that’s putting the Packers in a serious bind for Week 5. 

Rapoport didn’t sugarcoat it—Love isn’t physically up to speed yet. So what must Green Bay do: risk rushing their franchise QB back onto the field or roll with Malik Willis, hoping the rookie can step up in the clutch?

Here’s where things get spicy: Willis, the second-round QB, has been chomping at the bit, ready to leap into the starting role. He’s young and hungry—yes—but he’s raw and inexperienced. And we’re talking about some high-stakes decision-making. 

So here we are: The game’s on, and the Packers have a major call to make. Love or Willis? Either way, we’re all on edge, waiting to see who gets his moment.