The Governor of Wisconsin is willing to give the Milwaukee Brewers a huge sum of money to help upgrade their stadium and keep the team in the city until the 2040s.
The venue that was once fondly known as Miller Park, American Family Field, is nowhere near as old as some parks in professional sports. However, the building that opened in 2001 and was supposed to be state-of-the-art is over 20 years old and in need of some notable upgrades. Yet, it seems that is far easier said than done for a small market club like the Milwaukee Brewers, despite winning seasons in five of the last six years.
The team’s lease on the building ends in 2030, and it has opened the question of if investing in major upgrades is worth it, and could a possible move out of the city to build a new stadium at a more beneficial location be better.
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Well, on Wednesday Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers offered the Milwaukee Brewers a serious financial lifeline, and the franchise is willing to do its part to make the agreement a fair one for the city.
Governor offers Milwaukee Brewers nearly $300 million for stadium upgrades
The state of Wisconsin has done very well for itself in recent years, and while many states must budget around ongoing deficits, Wisconsin is in the midst of a budget surplus. And it seems Governor Tony Evers is willing to break off a piece of those excess funds and give it to the Brewers for their stadium.
On Wednesday, WISN.com reported the new details of Evers’ budget proposal for the next fiscal period, and it includes handing over a $290 million check to the state’s favorite baseball team. And if the budget is passed with that portion still intact, the team has also agreed to sign a new 20-year lease to stay in the city.
While new stadiums are always fun, adding another $200 million of its own money to the amount offered by the state would certainly allow the team to make a nearly half-billion-dollar upgrade to the stadium and return it to its previous glory.