GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – An annual event for the Green Bay Packers and their fans took place on Wednesday in anticipation of the start to training camp.
A couple of big topics at the annual Packers shareholder meeting was the organizations lowest profits in years and their search to return to postseason play.
“It’s not all about revenue,” says Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. “I think we need to do whats right by players and fans.”
According to him, fans need to dig a little deeper to understand the organizations lowest profits in years.
“Those were rather unique expenses, not recurring,” he explains.
Additionally, the Titletown development set the team back, but the organization expects that investment to start paying off soon.
“We’re unique in being able to support and invest in a project like Titletown. It’s just a little more difficult for some of the other teams to do something like that,” says Murphy.
Phase one of the Titletown redevelopment is complete, while Phase two is expected to be done next year, which includes business and residential space.
Murphy anticipates both to be popular.
“We know there’s a lot of interest from people who signed up online,” he says.
But, for many of the four thousand and two-hundred fans in attendance, the business was secondary in their mind.
Rather, the day was more about the overall experience.
Fans come all over for the event, like Glenn Parsons, who was in from Missouri.
“Came all the way from Branson to the shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field,” he explains. “It’s an item that’s on my bucket list.”
For Parsons, it’s a family affair.
“I’m a shareholder and both my sons are shareholders,” he says.
While others made a much more manageable drive to Lambeau Field.
Kathy Blumenberg from Neenah says this isn’t her first go-around.
“Probably five times,” she explains. “The first time was with my mom and when we came up Lombardi Avenue we both had tears in our eyes.”
According to her, there are a number of things that keep her coming back.
“I just love hearing about what the Packers do for the community, that’s actually the part I like the best,” she says. “Then also the updates on the team.”
Packers training camp officially gets underway on Thursday.
