The Green Bay Packers have asked for help in negotiating a new lease agreement for Lambeau Field citing difficulty in reaching a deal with Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich.
According to a release from the Packers, the organization is seeking a long-term commitment for utilization of Lambeau Field in order to proceed with $1.5 billion in projects to renovate and upgrade the stadium over the next 20-30 years. The current lease agreement is set to expire in 2032.
“The Packers presented a plan that is the best approach any city could want, a plan that does not request any public tax money to cover the needs for Lambeau Field into the foreseeable future,” said Aaron Popkey, director of public affairs for the Packers. “In contrast, other pro sports cities have needed to contribute substantial taxpayer subsidies for their stadiums.”
The Packers submitted a letter to the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District requesting it step in. The Packers said they have made three written proposals to the city of Green Bay since 2020, but there has been no response.
In the letter to the Stadium District, the Packers claim Genrich is insisting taxpayer money be used for Lambeau Field maintenance and improvements, so “some of that money would flow through the stadium to the city.”
Since the 2003 Lambeau Field redevelopment, the Packers have invested more than $600 million in improvements without using taxpayer funds. The city of Green Bay receives more than $1 million annually in rent and administrative fees.
The Packers lease proposal includes continued rent payments, but without annual rent increases the city seeks.
In the letter, the Packers say that in addition to refusing to negotiate a new lease, Genrich has interfered with decisions it made about removing obsolete railings and attempted to force the team to use city staff for on field health services. The Packers also said Genrich has proposed elimination of the Stadium District in order to gain more control.
The Packers have submitted a formal letter of compliance to the Stadium District in response to Genrich’s recent claims and want to develop a long-term lease proposal with the Stadium District that can be presented to the city of Green Bay.
