Policy Smart To Get Ahead Of Packers Economic Conversation
With unprecedented money pouring into NFL franchises, Green Bay's uniqueness presents tough challenges.
By PackerAaron
The Green Bay Packers occupy a unique place in the NFL. They are the league’s lone publicly owned franchise — a point of pride for generations of fans and shareholders. But in today’s NFL economy, where billionaires and private equity funds are pouring unprecedented money into franchises, that uniqueness presents tough challenges. And that’s exactly why Ed Policy deserves credit for thinking ahead.
In a recent interview with Sports Business Journal, the Packers’ president and CEO acknowledged a reality that many around the league prefer not to talk about: the financial playing field is shifting quickly. While other teams can sell small equity stakes to private equity funds and instantly raise significant money, the Packers simply don’t have that option.
That means the organization has to find other ways to keep pace.
Rather than ignoring the issue or relying on nostalgia, Policy is smart to look ahead with pragmatism. He openly discussed exploring new revenue opportunities the Packers historically haven’t fully tapped — including entitlements tied to the training facility and the Titletown campus. Even the once-unthinkable conversation about Lambeau Field naming rights now exists somewhere on the long-term horizon. Even more taboo? While it goes unmentioned by Policy, the specter of the team asking for some kind of support from the state could eventually be part of the conversation.
Policy made it crystal clear this is all about protecting the Packers’ ability to compete. Indeed, he emphasized that financial pressures cannot be allowed to influence football decisions. His job, as he framed it, is ensuring the Packers never reach that point. In an era where franchise valuations are exploding and ownership groups are becoming wealthier than ever, staying competitive financially is essential to staying competitive on the field.
There are no easy answers for a publicly owned team operating in a league increasingly dominated by soon-to-be oligarch-level wealth. But acknowledging the challenge is a good first step.
Policy is quoted in the SBJ article as saying “Given the pace that the expenses have accelerated over the past few years, if we find ourselves falling behind, it’s going to be really hard to catch up. So, we have to keep ourselves in a position where we’re not falling behind.”
This is exactly how fans should want the President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers to be thinking.
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Comments (53)
Oppy
March 15, 2026 at 02:41 pm
I think you accidentally wrote "Ed Policy" when you meant to write "Bob Harlan" or "Mark Murphy."
Sorry for the snark, but this has literally been job #1 for the President and CEO of the Packers for almost the last 40 years straight to look for new and creative revenue streams to ensure the Packers remain financially able to compete.
Bitternotsour
March 15, 2026 at 04:01 pm
Historically, the Packers cry poverty right about the time that the CBA is coming into view.
Oppy
March 15, 2026 at 09:44 pm
If the NFL ever abolishes or significantly changes the structure of the shared revenue from TV contracts, licensing and merchandising, the Packers could be in serious trouble.
It's not a ploy or a con- it's a legitimate concern. There are owners in the NFL that actively rally against the shared revenue system- guys like Jerry Jones, amongst others. It would definitely hurt the Packers significantly if it were to cease to exist as it does.
There's a reason the Packers have built the titletown district and MM had his sledding hill that so many ignorantly blast.. it's a buffer if the current revenue sharing system goes tits up and will help allow the Packers to remain financially solvent if the shared money is cut off. Until then, the Packers being a not-for-profit organization, the revenue generated by these other sources is used to create a break-in-case-of-emergency fund and excess is funneled back into the community and other charitable causes.
LambeauPlain
March 16, 2026 at 09:38 am
The Dodgers and Yankees always hire the best teams money can buy with no spending limit for players...making the last several years of the small market Brewers' successes so remarkable.
The Brewers unload star players they developed just before they look to be getting a huge payday from the big market teams. But they always manage to get talented prospects in return.
Front office management, coaching and scouting has kept the Crew in the game.
PhantomII
March 15, 2026 at 08:41 pm
Exactly why GB doesn't need to pick up an OL where there is a Vet entrenched at and move him to Center...That was last year...So how about if we need a Center, we either draft a top center or get a top one in FA...That would save a bunch of money in retrospect....Then that Center gets hurt and a back-up OL plays a ton of snaps and GB overpays a reserve OL player 5-6 mill....If an Offense runs your GUTS into the ground...maybe our DL needs addressed and are not as good as you thought....ALL of these things fans saw as obvious needs or mistakes....If you want to save some coin hit on your draft picks and don't blunder on several mediocre decisions...I do applaud trying to undo the mistakes of the last few seasons...but it is expensive and we still need a legit force in Garys place with 10-14 sacks per season and solid run stopping.
Oppy
March 15, 2026 at 09:37 pm
For the time being, this isn't about salary cap / player payroll. It's about facilities, stadium upkeep and amenities , training staff, etc.
If the structure of the shared revenue system ever changes, however.. then it will absolutely be about salary cap / player payroll.
BuckyBadger
March 16, 2026 at 08:29 am
It is a far different challenge for Policy than ever it was in the past. Now the value of the franchises is so high they can sell 1% of the team and make a truck load of money. Packers don't have that luxury and that amount can't be made up sellimg $300 of worthless paper anymore. This is something that none of the previous CEOs had to worry about.
Harlan and Murphy just had to keep the franchise on the correct path and put out a good product. The revenue was even and mostly came from areas they could equally tap into. Now that franchises are worth 10s of Billions owners have another avenue that a publicly owned team like the Packers simply don't have.
LeotisHarris
March 15, 2026 at 04:03 pm
Ah, yes, the sweet smell of late-stage capitalism wafting by on cool March breeze (and a mofo of a blizzard). Ed is the man to have at the helm, but will it matter when private equity bros own everything from emergency vet clinics to your favorite professional sports team? Who will watch the games in person? Who will buy the concessions? Who will pay for all the streaming services needed to follow a season of NFL football? Who will grind the wheat? And, most importantly, who can own it all?
Breathe deep the gathering gloom. Watch lights fade in every room. Go ahead, you know the rest...
MooPack
March 15, 2026 at 04:08 pm
The threshing floor will separate the chaff.
TKWorldWide
March 15, 2026 at 05:13 pm
On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the Green Bay shore
nagawicka
March 16, 2026 at 05:01 am
"Who will grind the wheat" noice either lenin or little red hen. Ita be inneresting if Titletown district could design city & neighborhood form as living antidote to the bleak vision of:
Breathe deep the gathering gloom
Watch lights fade from every womb
TKWorldWide
March 16, 2026 at 06:52 am
And the mome raths outgrabe
LambeauPlain
March 16, 2026 at 09:44 am
You "cold hearted orb", ruling the night, removing the green color from our sight. Green is red and yellow fading white. But who knows which is right? And what is an illusion?
TKWorldWide
March 17, 2026 at 05:29 am
Late Lament?
Or
Latte lament ☕️??
NFLfan
March 15, 2026 at 04:48 pm
Policy had an entire off-season to meet with industry insiders to come up with a list of authentic, talented GMs and HCs. Instead he paid himself, Ball, Gute and MLF huge salaries for the next 5 years. All of this behavior is fraudulent and insulting to fans. Now, they rarely win @ home, they fall apart after half-time and have made
numerous gaffes. Their most recent grade in Free Agency was a D.
Stop blaming private equity--they have shot themselves in the foot all by themselves.
I'm not the only one who has lost interest in this mess.
egbertsouse
March 15, 2026 at 05:18 pm
Bingo!!!! Refuse to drink the kool-aid. I wouldn’t let this guy run a lemonade stand.
canadapacker
March 15, 2026 at 05:25 pm
Go post on the vikes site then. what a bunch of drivel - and I dont know how you can hope for a team ( and you probably dont - vikes fan???) and spew this. Maybe fully understand how the Packers are operated and what it means. They can raise ticket prices a bit but dont forget that as with all other teams has its repercussions. And there is NO big sugar daddy to come along and dump a bunch of money in. Unlike the NFL Giants that just sold a minority share to the Kock brothers and that brought ""In October 2025, NFL owners approved the sale of a 10% non-controlling interest to Julia Koch and her family. This transaction valued the franchise at approximately $10.3 billion."" - they can be moved and sold etc and the Pack cannot. If these things keep happening we could be paying top players like soccer - Like Messie and Rinaldo in the hundreds of millions.
dblbogey
March 15, 2026 at 06:39 pm
NFL fan seems to be a troll seeking attention.
Oppy
March 15, 2026 at 09:49 pm
He repeatedly claimed that he'd be leaving his Packers fandom behind and jumping on the bandwagon of whatever team Jeff Hafley becomes the HC for if the Packers didn't choose to make the coaching and front office moves he wanted. So, they resigned MLF and BG, Hafley goes to to Miami, and here NFLfan still sits. Unfortunately, his deeds don't follow his proclamations.
NFLfan
March 16, 2026 at 08:05 am
First of all, I'm a woman, secondly, I detest apologists like you and your Packer PR colleagues.
Are you proud of yourself for defending a fraudulent 'President' and 'Front Office?"
I'm certain you get lots of 'attaboys' and good seats in exchange.
LambeauPlain
March 16, 2026 at 09:51 am
So you are a woman and detest other fans who don't think like you? Are the two linked?
Oppy
March 16, 2026 at 08:54 pm
I am saddened that you are not only a spoiled rotten Packers fan who, apparently, only wants to be a fan when everything is going great.. but more so, I'm deeply disappointed you're not a woman of your word.
Packers0808
March 15, 2026 at 06:13 pm
Question if you lost interest why reading and posting on a Packer site? Curious how yo can do both.
dblbogey
March 15, 2026 at 06:40 pm
NFL Fan is just depressed. Probably because he's a Vikings fan.
egbertsouse
March 15, 2026 at 05:19 pm
Ed Policy: Waaaaaa-waaaaa-waaaaaa! Boo-hoo-hoo!
Guam
March 15, 2026 at 05:59 pm
What am I missing here? The Packers are a publicly owned company. Several times in the past they have offered the sale of additional (and near valueless) shares of stock to adoring Packers fans and the offerings have been over-subscribed. Packer fans (myself included) love to say they are an owner! The Packers can do this again and again and as long as Packer fans continue to over-subscribe these offerings, the Packers have great financial flexibility and competitiveness.
And the private equity bros can't do this with their franchises without diluting their investment which would be anathema to them.
I appreciate that Policy is looking for other ways to generate funds without soaking the owner-fans, but he has an option that other teams don't. And Policy may be setting the table to do exactly that........
dblbogey
March 15, 2026 at 06:49 pm
Stock sale in '22 and 2011 each raised $65 million. The 1997 sale raised $24 million. Prior to that, they had one in 1950, '35 and '23, don't know the figures on those years. They've raised $154 million beginning with the '97 sale - a period of 30 years. That's only $15 million a year average. I agree with Policy, we need other sources of revenue.
Guam
March 15, 2026 at 10:50 pm
I agree they need other sources of revenue, but I felt the article was a bit remiss in not mentioning that the Packers do have the option of selling stock. Shouldn't be the only source of funds, but can certainly be a source.
Since'75
March 16, 2026 at 10:13 am
Guam is correct.
You have to tell both sides of things.
***********
I'm thinking we have a new stock sale coming in the next year or two.
Or maybe Lambeau field will have a new name.
Like...Cheez Whiz Field.
GregC
March 15, 2026 at 09:37 pm
They probably don't want to play that card (selling additional stock) any more than is absolutely necessary. They seem to regard it as an emergency measure, rather than an ongoing source of revenue. I have no idea how much more money they could raise that way, but at some point there would have to be diminishing returns.
Ferrari-Driver
March 15, 2026 at 06:52 pm
Times are changing for revenue generation. My dad got season tickets for City Stadium (Now Lambeau Field) when it opened in 1957. Here is the price of tickets at that time:
"In 1957, when the Green Bay Packers opened their new City Stadium (now Lambeau Field), single-game home ticket prices ranged from 75 cents to $4.75."
I just got my season ticket notice in the mail about a week ago for those seats and the price for my seats is $218 each. Of course inflation itself has increased a great amount over essentially 70 years inroads by the player's union and free agency made quite a difference. When I was a kid, we used to see the players with jobs when the season was over and it was fun to talk to them. I remember John Martinkovic who was a defensive lineman in the early and middle 1950's worked as a used car salesman and he would throw the ball back and forth with us when he didn't have a customer. Great fun and great memories.
lou
March 15, 2026 at 07:32 pm
We have the most unique and appealing franchise in major sports and to date have the competitive finances to acquire the best football players in the NFL to the dismay of the upper class NFL franchise owners. How many people prior to it happening believed that the Packers could afford Reggie White and he would welcome moving to Green Bay, not many peoples hands would go up. The same thing happened prior to the start of the season as the trade for Micha Parsons was announced.
In addition the Packers "Rainy Day Fund" not talked about much is just under a half billion dollars and unlike other major sports we operate equally with a salary cap and shared media revenue. The salary CAP issue in MLB will be huge news in 2027 as the owners are expected to lock the players out in an attempt to have one.
From a business stand point the smallest franchise in major professional sports is sound and proud. Now, lets make the right draft picks and acquisitions to put the product on the field back to the standard we expect.
Since'75
March 15, 2026 at 09:06 pm
Excellent, as usual Lou....
I speculate that the Rainy Day Fund was the initial capital investment used to fund the TitleTown District.
Whether that fund recouped it's investment and is showing a profit, or when it's proclaimed to show a profit, i have no clue.
Oppy
March 15, 2026 at 09:56 pm
All Packers financials are open book due to their not-for-profit status. The rest of the NFL *hates* that, because the Packers are a lone window into what NFL teams across the league likely generate.
If you are a stock holder, you can go to the yearly shareholders meeting held at Lambeau and get a first hand account of the financials- something I have yet to find the time to do, but plan on one day.
Oppy
March 15, 2026 at 09:53 pm
Lou, keep in mind a "rainy day fund" of "just under a half billion dollars" is not as big as it once was, when you consider the salary cap for 2026 is now just over $300,000,000... So our rainy day fund is now only enough to float less than two years' worth of player salaries.
Since'75
March 16, 2026 at 09:36 am
The RDF isn't used to pay players salary's. that's what equal revenue sharing is for.
That, coupled with a hard salary cap, ensures a level playing field for all 32 teams (on the field).
Oppy
March 16, 2026 at 08:50 pm
Yeah, no.
The rainy day fund is exactly for protecting the franchise if revenue sharing changes in a negative fashion or is completely abandoned.
There are owners across the league that are vocal opponents of shared revenue.. The Packers absolutely started their fund to help keep the Packers viable should the revenue sharing go bye-bye- at which time those funds would be used to do whatever it takes to survive.
GBPfaninMO
March 16, 2026 at 08:58 am
Lou ya nailed it thanks
Since'75
March 15, 2026 at 08:48 pm
I wasn't a 1/3rd of the way through this article when i felt this was a prelude into another stock sale, or selling off the naming rights of Lambeau Field.
"While it goes unmentioned by Policy, the specter of the team asking for some kind of support from the state, could eventually be part of the conversation."
Are you freaking kidding me?
Taxpayer money?
GTF out of town....lol
In a league where head coaches, team executives, top players, make generational wealth in one year...ONE YEAR!
C'mon man.
What happened to TitleTown District?
Wasn't that created for future revenue?
Was it a good investment, bad investment, is it in the red, black?
🤷♂️
*******
I hope the next article on Policy is him doing a Q and A with the press about his moves with the Packers since he took over.
Snap the ball
March 15, 2026 at 11:07 pm
YOU HAVE TO GROW OR YOU DIE IN THIS BUSINESS.
THE SALARIES THAT ARE PAID. ARE NUTS. LOOK AT BANKS SALARY LAST YEAR. A JOKE…..
A COULD NAME ANOTHER BUT HES NO LONGER ON THE TEAM.
I REMEMBER A FEW PLAYERS A FEW YEARS BACK SAYING IF I OWNED A TEAM I WOULDN'T PAY THESE GUYS THAT MUCH.
THE LEAGUE IS COMING LIKE THE NBA …LESS AND LESS WATCHERS AND MORE AND MORE SALRIES GO UP
THE NBA AFTER THE LEFTYS TOOK OVER IN THE LEAGUE IS FLIP FLOP LA BORING.
I WISH JORDAN COULD HAVE CLEANED HIS CLOCK AND SENT HIM HOME FLOPPING.
I THINK THE CONTRACTS SHOULD BE YOU GET PAID X. AND IF YOU PLAY LIKE CRAP YOU GET LESS……..
THE LAST YEAR OF THE CONTRACT THEY DONT P,AY HARD BECAUSE THEY DONTBWANT TO GET HURT THE SO NEXT YEAR THE PAYCHECK KEEPS
COMING IN
KINDA LIKE KENNY AND GARY. DID…. ONLY THING KENNY PLAYED HURT MORE OFTEN
SO MAYBE THEY COULD BUILD SOME MORE CONDOS BY THE BASEBALL FIELD FOR A MILLION DOLLARS SO NO ONE OTHER THAN A FEW CAN PAY FOR THEM. AND HAVE PART OF THE HOA GO TO THE PACKERS
OR A HOTELS SILENT PACKERS TAX….OF 5 to 10 bucks. HOW MANY HOTEL ROOMS IN THE AREA INCLUDING APP,ETON ….
THEY COULD CALL IT THE. SCGU. TAX. THE DALARY CAP GOING UP TAX. SCGU
MOVE THE BASEFIELD AND BUILD CONDOS THAT THE PACKERS BUILD AND SELL…
SO I CAN DRIVE BY THEM AND SAY WOW. THATS NICE … MAYBE I WILL BUY 2.
I WAS REALLY EXCITED LAST YEAR THEN THEY MOVED JENKINS TO CENTER. WAS DUMB
THIS YEAR. BETTING ON MORGAN AT RIGHT TACKLE
REMEMBER IN THE CLEVELAND GAME WHATS HIS NAME WAS ABOUT TO SACK LOVE. AND WALKER. YEARS. RUN JORDAN
THIS YEAR. MORGAN WILL BECSAYING THAT EVERY OTHER PLAY.
WILL HAVE DIVISION GAMES BEFORE PARSONS AND KRAFT ARE BACK. PROBABLY BE 4-4 THEN IT WILL BE TO LATE .
PROBABLY LOSE 7 IN A ROW. LAST TWO YEARS 3 IN A ROW AND LAST YEAR 5 iIN A ROW.
TWO OF OUR BEST PLAYERS WITH ACLS. I HOPE IT WORKS FOR THEM….
WHOS ATE SECOND RUNNING BACK. A GUY WHO HASN'T PLAYED IN TWO YEARS.
MY LAST COMMENT IS. IF THE SALARY CAP DIDNT GO UP. YOU WOULD FIND OUT THAT GUTEY IS NOT THAT GOOD…..
TJATS WHAT SAVES HIM. BORROW THE FUTURE……
WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO 9-7 team. THE FANS DONT GET EXCITED
I FEEL FOR JOSH JACOBS WATCHING HIM GET TOUCHED 2 YARDS FROM THE LINE PF SCIMMAGE HAS TO FIGHT TO GET TO IT…
NOW GOING BACK TO A 3-4. IT TAKES A YEAR TO FIGURE THAT PUT AND GET THE RIGHT PLAYERS
I THINK FRANKLIN IS OVER THE HILL. HES A DOME GUY…….
OH WELL QUAY WILL BE ALL PRO THIS YEAR LIKE STOKES
pantz_bURp
March 16, 2026 at 07:26 am
I like YOUR STYLE...I dont need trifocals anymore. Unless hanging drywall for the ceiling.
Too sexy,
Pb (let the lead out)
canadapacker
March 17, 2026 at 05:08 pm
Shove the all caps where the sun dont shine - that dont impress me much
pantz_bURp
March 16, 2026 at 07:24 am
Let'z start a GoFundMe for our beloved Pack. Then start a GoFindMe for the players and coaches to finish the second half of games...
Get a mascot that passes the helmet in the stands for loose change. Letz get creative people!
Morph from Starting Fast to Finishing Strong.
My work is done,
Pantz "Loverboy" Burp
NFLfan
March 16, 2026 at 07:33 am
How about hiring the best GM/HC before sticking your hand out and making excuses? Policy is a 'yes' person, a figurehead with no spine.
Standing up there with his opaque sunglasses & afraid to do the right thing. He just paid all of his mediocre cronies an obscene amount of $$$ to further run a once-storied franchise further into the ground.
LambeauPlain
March 16, 2026 at 09:57 am
So you detest Ed Policy too?
Me thinks you doth detest too much.
BuckyBadger
March 16, 2026 at 09:24 am
I can see many are missing the point here. This isn't about the product on the field as much as it is a publicly owned team like the Packers doesn't have the ability to sell off a small % of its ownership and make millions if not billions of dollars. As these franchises become more valuable they can sell off even just 1% of their ownership, give up no control, and basically print money for themselves. Selling $300 of worthless stock won't keep up like it has in the past. NFL franchises are becoming so valuable that billionaires need to combine their wealth to purchase them. There is only so much adding property like Titletown can do to keep up. What can a franchise like Green Bay do to keep up?
There isn't an easy solution to this and they better start thinking about it. Ross just sold 1% of the Dolphins valued at $12.5Billion. That sale is nothing but free money in his pocket so some trust fund baby can say he owns part of a NFL franchise. The Packers don't have that luxury and that will effect their ability to not only compete but continue operations.
Since'75
March 16, 2026 at 09:50 am
"I can see many are missing the point here." - Bucky
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The point is....greed.
*******
Each team gets an equal amount of revenue sharing.
Each team has a hard salary cap they have to stay under.
Hence....each team has an equal chance (on the field).
The rest, is greed.
********
When the Packers, after paying salary's, can't afford maintenance, custodial staff, keep the lights on
Come and talk to me.
GREED
Since'75
March 16, 2026 at 09:44 am
How about a federal 'NFL tax'.
So taxpayers can subsidies NFL operations.
Then everyone can have a new stadium every 15 years, everyone can make 10 million (minimum) or more yearly, and they can keep hot dogs under $25
Will that finally..be enough money?
Since'75
March 16, 2026 at 10:03 am
In 2024 NFL teams received 432 million in revenue sharing.
********
The Green Bay Packers' profits from operations rose 39.3% for the 2025 fiscal year, thanks largely to the record $432.6 million it received in national revenue from the NFL.Jul 24, 2025
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In 2026 i'm guessing that revenue check is somewhere around 470 million.
The salary cap is 301 million for '26
That means they have an extra 169 million to pay the bills around Lambeau, NOT counting their own revenue they don't have to share, and their own investment revenue..
Try to make ends meet, ok fella's.
the_gavia_pass
March 16, 2026 at 10:18 am
mr Policy, I had hopes when you traded for Parsons, hopes to have found a new Bob Harlan.
Now, only months from that move I can say we are moving in the mark Murphy steps. With the difference that Murphy got some gifts from Harlan, Rodgers, Ted etc...and Murphy year by year ruined everything.
Green Bay has only ONE WAY to stay relevant..TO WIN SBs.
That is what Vince Lombardi and Bob Harlan knew and did.
the North, or a wild card or a divisional are next to nothing, in the long term they kill you.
GB needs SBs. And SBs need HOFs. You stick with lafleur, gutekunst, love average guys at best. You are on the wrong Path mr Policy.
Mark my words, I save this post.
Deal with It or you will have an Epic fail.
the_gavia_pass
March 16, 2026 at 10:21 am
btw the First move should be to get rid of all the parasites in the board.
LeotisHarris
March 16, 2026 at 02:55 pm
It's a volunteer Board. Members are not compensated for their work in any way.
The President of the Board is the only paid member.
PhantomII
March 16, 2026 at 09:15 pm
Probably could fill out the Offense AND Defense with 11 Starting level NFL players on both sides of the ball.....
Find a HC that designs plays to implement our 1st round WR who never drops the ball into the system better...
But these are common sense issues yet to be completed....
and GB is still not a contender until ALL the things that need to be done are completed.
Glad we got a Vet DL....Glad we got a fast returner and a couple defenders for ST...GB is a glacier...but so far there is a bit of movement in the right direction....How about a Vet stud TE to help out the blocking until Kraft is back....Crazy, .....I know.
GPG