September 10, There is only one place those words make complete sense. Yes, even on a hot, bright summer day in July, when any pate covered in orange foam material had to be sweating more profusely than a Vikings fan in a purple jersey in a stadium full of green and gold: Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, WI. There were a few funny things about being at Lambeau at the end of July: In other words, a gathering of some of the most devoted fans, those willing to shell out some cash just for love of the team.

There actually were a few Vikings fans brave enough to get into the mix that Tuesday morning. Together, we own the Green Bay Packers. Nothing — at least not in financial terms. According to official shareholder rules as outlined in the official Green Bay Packers Inc.

Shares of stock include voting rights, but the redemption price is minimal, no dividends are ever paid, the stock cannot appreciate in value, and there are no season-ticket privileges associated with stock ownership. No shareholder is allowed to own more than , shares, a safeguard to ensure that no one individual is able to assume control of the club.

That pride can turn into financial gain for the organization of course, as shareholders have access to an online pro shop that is reserved just for owners: Stock holders have to enter their certificate number in order to access the shop, where they can buy clothing that says NFL Owner and other paraphernalia.

And when the Packers have won the Super Bowl, shareholders get the chance to buy a ring as well — albeit a different, cheaper version than those the players receive. And the fans get to have a team. Literally, the Packers cannot leave Green Bay for another city. The team has had three owners besides the fans, all between and The brand new American Professional Football Association the predecessor of the National Football League revoked the Packers franchise after Lambeau was accused of some shenanigans involving using illegal college players in a non-league game.

The club became a nonprofit entity, the Green Bay Packers Corporation, in August , while more than people attended at a local Elks Club. That brings us to up to today: For all anyone knows, those five stock drives could be the only five stock drives.

There are currently no plans for the team to release any more stock. It could be two years, it could be 20 — or it could be never.

Green Bay Packers Shareholders

He noted that the first three times stock was released, it was to save the franchise from bankruptcy. Even then, regular fans can come along, as each shareholder gets four tickets to the event. So really, there was only one way to find out. Driving through the city of around , it is quite clear what everyone here is about: Getting off I North offers the first glimpse of Lambeau Field in the distance. Street signs along the way through Green Bay proper say it all: Shareholders and their guests streamed through two of the open gates in a veritable river of green, gold and white, with jerseys bearing the names of current players Rodgers Aaron , Matthews Clay , and Nelson Jordy as well as past favorites White Reggie and yes, even Favre Brett , who somewhat infamously ended his career with Packers Sworn Enemy No.

The atmosphere was relaxed, yet with the air of a very special event. After all, how often do a bunch of shareholders have a meeting at an NFL stadium? Though any chance to gather at Lambeau would surely qualify as special for fans, the purpose of the shareholders meeting is a lot like any other gathering of investors, and therefore, dry in its essence: Shareholders officially vote in a board of 25 directors — though all are urged to vote their shares by proxy online or by phone ahead of the meeting — and those directors update the owners about all the financial goings on.

There was still a PowerPoint, albeit displayed on a Jumbotron. And sweat it out, we did: The meeting kicked off at 11 a. As for celebrity faces, no, there were no players hanging around to give out high fives.

But the stadium cheered lustily for General Manager Ted Thompson, a celebrity in his own right around Green Bay, when he took to the microphone for the football report. What followed in his roughly eight-minute speech included a recap of jam-packed with the kinds of stats that a fan slobbers over and loves to recite later to an opponent who is rolling their eyes the entire time: After highlighting some individual team highlights and thanking the various members of the organization, including head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff and the player personnel group, complete with photo snapshots of Packers employees.

Achievements were discussed, highlights of the season income were shown in a video set to a generic rock song, stadium renovations were mentioned and new campaigns and policies were touched on. While sponsorships were mentioned, Murphy made sure to note something that may also prove to be rare in the world of professional sports, where teams are owned by multimillionaires.

Are the Green Bay Packers the Worst Stock in America? - Total Return - WSJ

This all went on for what started to feel like eternity, as the unrelenting sun beat down on the crowd. You want to know what being a Packers shareholder feels like?

On that day, it was hot.

Very hot and very sweaty. Just before noon, as I wondered yet again if that one cloud would come back and cover the sun even briefly, I noticed that the crowd had thinned out considerably.

And then, once Murphy wrapped up his report and passed the torch to the treasurer, there was almost a mass exodus as the crowd thinned out considerably. Section Permalink Bookmark Section Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Sure, long shareholder meetings are fun… but who are these shareholders and why are they willing to kiss their money good-bye? Shareholders include the young, the old, men and women, brothers and sisters, friends and in some cases, even fans of rival teams.

In many groups I talked to, only one person would be a shareholder, accompanied by a family member or friend. In other groups, everyone owned a piece. Cathy from Milwaukee shows off her friend, who cannot own stock as he is a bear.

Not all shareholders are from Wisconsin, as stock offerings can be purchased by anyone in the U. I spoke to fans and owners from Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Virginia and yes, WI. And yes, there was even a rumor of Minnesota Vikings fans that had been spotted a duo whose presence was later confirmed by the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

The most common response I had when I asked people why they were shareholders? Love of the game, love of the team, love of the Packers community and all the history that goes with it. They brought their two kids to the meeting this year, this first time they ever attended. Sure, it was a little hot out, especially for the kids, but the timing was right to have everyone at Lambeau. Carrie and her mom Lindy have come to every meeting since Carrie and her brother received their shares as Christmas gifts in Carrie travels from her home in Indiana, and her mom comes from Iowa.

Once her son became a Packers fan in the Favre era, she says they just embraced it and all became fans as well. To be able to say that I own a piece of the team that I love and enjoy is something that not many — well, no other teams can say. Maybe a few other people can say.

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He pointed to the sense of community as one of the biggest reasons why he decided to become a shareholder. Another shareholder I met goes by the name Santa Tom, a moniker that is self-evident when meeting him, if Santa is indeed, a Favre fan: Snowy white beard, eyes that twinkle mischievously and a crazy hat with green and gold hair.

This was their first shareholder meeting, basically because one of them is retired and the other will be soon, so why not take a Tuesday to sit in the sun and listen to Packers talk? Santa Tom says for him, owning stock is all about being a part of history, and tradition — he says his son who lives in San Diego puts out all his Packers paraphernalia every Sunday, despite the static he gets from Charger fans.

And I know that. This is what happens when a Packers owner gets ahold of your phone.

Green Bay Packers Shareholders

Steve checks his camera to make sure he got a good shot of Ted Thompson greeting people after the meeting. He says drives up to go to games at Lambeau every year, and is planning on going to two games this season. September 10, By Mary Beth Quirk marybethquirk.

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