Chad Davis / CC
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Green Bay Packers held their annual shareholders meeting on Thursday through a virtual presentation for the owners to get an idea of how the organization is holding up for the upcoming season.
While much of the discussion surrounded reviewing the past year’s accomplishments and changes, there was also a major reality check regarding the team’s financial situation for what is expected to happen during this NFL season.
“Revenue this year is going to be significantly down, we know that. But I think we’re really well positioned for the future and will be able to weather the pandemic,” said President Mark Murphy. “We’ve had the foresight years ago to establish corporate reserve fund that is up over $411 million, so that is kind of a safety net so to speak. Then also we have a long term collective bargaining…The organizations in the teams that will have success coming out of this are the ones that are nimble and flexible and communicating well.”
Murphy credits the organization’s IT department for assisting everyone as they continue to utilize technology for a majority of communications throughout the front office and the rest of the organization. He emphasized the importance of virtual communications – as many employees were sent to work from home, and it wasn’t always possible to simply walk down the hall and talk to someone.
Operations will prove to be an unprecedented challenge for the Packers, who have had to implement new plans for safety inside one of Wisconsin’s largest gathering places.
“Trying to do things that you just never thought that you would have to do when the building was built. How do you keep people separate and distant? It’s gonna be a challenge,” Murphy points out. “I have no expertise in dealing with pandemics. I do have a lot of confidence that in medical experts, both for the league and the NFLPA, and I’m confident that we’ll get a season in.”
The team also plans to be very cautious in whether fans will be permitted – and how many would be allowed through the gates this fall. If fans are allowed, Lambeau Field will likely see a maximum capacity of just 12,000. The stadium usually seats nearly 82,000.
The annual Family Night practice and scrimmage was also canceled, but will still be held at Lambeau Field and televised. The team says that, at least, gives players the ability to practice in a stadium with few to no fans in the stands and adjust to the situation.
“There’s a lot at stake. We understand what Packers home games mean to the community, to local businesses. We want to make sure that we do things as safe as possible. The last thing we want is to contribute to an outbreak or a super starter event,” Murphy said. “Roughly two-thirds of our revenue comes from broadcasts, so the first priority is getting the games and and getting them on television. If we’re able to do that, we’ll be able to cover our player costs, which obviously is our biggest cost.”
Murphy explains that one of the biggest things the team can do is use their platform to educate the public – whether it be about social distancing, masking, or other social issues.
The team also addressed another elephant in the room – players exercising their rights to protest.
“I’m very proud of our players and the work that they do…We’re fully supportive of our players particularly their right to peacefully protest issues that are of importance to not just them but our entire society…This is something that they’re very passionate about, and they want to see change. I’m very supportive of our players,” Murphy said. “70-percent of our players are African American. I don’t have the same experiences that they have, but to hear the players talk about the things that they’ve seen over their lives and their career here in the NFL – we’re happy to support them.”
The Packers put out a video demanding change following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests and ignited the Black Lives Matter movement.
There was also discussion over a number of other events that could be held at Lambeau Field over the next few years. Murphy expressed hope that the team’s bid to host the 2024 NFL Draft would be successful, and announced that they are also in the process of bidding to host a Big Ten Conference football championship game within the next decade or so.
As for the non-conference college game that was canceled between Wisconsin and Notre Dame this fall, Murphy says he got a call from Badgers Athletic Director Barry Alvarez.
“He said they loved the experience that they and their fans had for the LSU Wisconsin game so we’re looking to reschedule that,” Murphy said. “Wisconsin and Notre Dame will play in 2021 down Chicago’s Soldier Field, and we’re hoping looking at 2022 to have that game rescheduled here at Lambeau Field.”
The NFL preseason has been canceled. The regular season is slated to kick off on September 10th. The Packers open the 2020 season in Minnesota.
Green Bay Packers 2020 regular season schedule. (IMAGE: Courtesy of Green Bay Packers)
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