Congrats to the Packers and their fans. America's only community owned professional sports team.

[Better Believe It]

The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned franchise in American professional sports major leagues. Typically, a team is owned by one person, partnership, or corporate entity, i.e., a "team owner." The lack of a dominant owner has been stated as one of the reasons the Green Bay Packers have never been moved from the city of Green Bay, a city of only 102,313 people as of the 2000 census.

In 1950, the Packers held a stock sale to again raise money to support the team. In 1956, area voters approved the construction of a new city owned stadium. As with its predecessor, the new field was named City Stadium, but after the death of founder Curly Lambeau, the stadium was renamed Lambeau Field on September 11, 1965.

Another stock sale occurred late in 1997 and early in 1998. It added 105,989 new shareholders and raised over $24 million, money used for the Lambeau Field redevelopment project. Priced at $200 per share, fans bought 120,010 shares during the 17-week sale, which ended March 16, 1998. As of June 8, 2005, 112,015 people (representing 4,750,934 shares) can lay claim to a franchise ownership interest. Shares of stock include voting rights, but the redemption price is minimal, no dividends are ever paid, the stock cannot appreciate in value (though private sales often exceed the face value of the stock), and stock ownership brings no season ticket privileges. No shareholder may own over 200,000 shares, a safeguard to ensure that no individual can assume control of the club. To run the corporation, a board of directors is elected by the stockholders.

The team's elected president represents the Packers in NFL owners meetings, unless someone else is designated. During his time as coach, Vince Lombardi generally represented the team at league meetings in his role as general manager, except at owners-only meetings, where the team was represented by president Dominic Olejniczak.

Green Bay is the only team with this form of ownership structure in the NFL; such ownership is in direct violation of current league rules, which stipulate a limit of 32 owners of one team and one of those owners having a minimum 30% stake. However, the Packers corporation was grandfathered when the NFL's current ownership policy was established in the 1980s, and are thus exempt. The Packers are also the only American major-league sports franchise to release its financial balance sheet every year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers

[Odin2005]

1. Viva Socialism!

[socialist_n_TN]

30. Yep! And that was the reason I was a Packers fan today.......

:)

[eridani]

38. Whenever my home team is out of the running, I become an honorary Cheesehead n/t

[socialist_n_TN]

44. Always my second favorite team, after the............

hometown Titans.

[stevedeshazer]

2. +1

[virgogal]

3. I didn't know that.

[Better Believe It]

5. One of the best kept secrets in American sports franchises.

[virgogal]

10. I guess so----and I plan on looking up much more information

on that tomorrow------too tired now !

Thanks for the info.

[eridani]

40. I once heard from a Madison cabbie that they don't even have

--professional cheerleaders. HIgh school squads from all around the state of Wisconsin take turns leading the cheers.

[Myrina]

59. We tried to have "pro cheerleaders" in the late 80's, and ...

... well, being a Green Bay girl I can tell ya, they were neither pretty nor talented. The high school squads do alot more for team spirit LOL!!

[Bluzmann57]

58. Green Bay is around 100,000 people population wise

and so there would be no Green Bay Packers without public ownership. A city that size just cannot support a team any other way. I happen to live in a city about the size of Green Bay and believe me, we could never support a major sports team.

[Hugabear]

4. How exactly does that work?

I'm aware of the fact the Packers are a community owned team, but how does that work? Does the community, have any input on team decisions?

[Better Believe It]

7. I added information to the original post from wikipedia.

[postulater]

11. no, they just have the satisfaction of owning a piece of the team

When they remodelled the stadium several years ago, they sold bricks of sod from the old field. People bought them and took them home and planted the grass.

[Better Believe It]

16. The 100,000 plus owners of the team elect the team President.

You might have noticed that during the after game ceremony no individual rich owner was introduced on the state which is standard procedure following a championship win .... that's because there aren't any.

The community owners also do not call plays during the game or make day to day team business decisions. They hire people to do that.

:)

[The Wielding Truth]

6. Congrats. From a Steeler Fan. Good game.

[Better Believe It]

9. The Steelers sure didn't make it easy and have nothing to be ashamed of.

[The Wielding Truth]

35. Thanks. Your graciousness makes the lose not smart as much.

[postulater]

13. Packer fan here. I would have been happy if they would have lost

as long as I see a good game. The Steelers made it a great game.

Both teams can be proud.

[The Wielding Truth]

36. Thanks. Enjoy the win. You deserve it, and we will return.

[seabeyond]

43. so glad roth didnt win, BUT i did like the interaction between steeler and packer players....

i saw a lot of good sportsmanship and that always does me good. though really pissed at the one steeler player grabbing guy and trying to push into ball. thought that a bet chicken shit and then packer dude got penalty.

otherwise, i thought steelers, except roth.... were :thumbsup: made more enjoyable

[Ilsa]

54. I'm in Tx and was rooting for Packers for this reason. The Steelers

were awesome last night and gave us an exciting Superbowl and deserve high praise. The Steelers and their Fans have been gracious, from everything I've heard.

[Lifelong Protester]

8. Whooooohoooo!!

We love our team and I know Vince and Curly are smiling up there!

[pettypace]

12. Karma for Little ben

if ya'll are wondering why look up the reasons for his suspension earlier this season.

[Hugabear]

14. "such ownership is in direct violation of current league rules"

Yeah, because they want to make sure that shit don't ever happen again.

[Better Believe It]

18. Exactly! And that's also true in baseball, hockey, basketball, etc.,

[Kolesar]

15. Most NFL owners politics are right there with the NRA and Rush Limbaugh

Except the Philadelphia Eagles. The woman owner is a recycling fanatic.

[KamaAina]

51. New England's Bob Kraft leans Dem

though he did contribute to Mittens, likely out of regional loyalty.

[Martin Eden]

17. "In 1956, area voters approved the construction of a new city owned stadium."

And do you know who went to Green Bay and spoke out forcefully in support of that stadium? -- George Halas, owner of the Chicago Bears. He knew the value of keeping the Packers in Green Bay and keeping his greatest rival intact.
I am a die-hard Bears fan, and I extend my congratulations to the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers! :toast:

[Better Believe It]

19. You're right. And it's a city-owned stadium, not a privately owned corporate one.

[TBF]

42. Thanks Martin Eden -

the Bears were a hard team to beat this year, and as a lifelong Packer fan I have definitely enjoyed the rivalry that only makes both teams better.

[Lugnut]

20. Congrats from a Steelers fan!

Good game!

:toast:

[glinda]

21. Woot Packers!

[RamboLiberal]

22. Congratulations Packers from a Steeler fan

The better team won today. And one neighborhood in the Burgh is celebrating - Greenfield the hometown of Packers coach Mike McCarthy. Glad he could win for his mom & dad & community as well as for Green Bay and Packers fans.

[madrchsod]

23. the team was broke and was being told to move so.....

halas came up to green bay and convinced the team to sell it to the people. halas did`t want green bay to move for financial reasons and tradition.green bay - milwaukee and chicago was less than a days drive or a train ride. halas also recommended that green bay hire vince lombardi.

[nomb]

73. It was also Halas that got the NFL to share revenue - This hurt the Bears, but helped the NFL

A rare example of a rising tide lifting all boats.

[Elwood P Dowd]

24. So a bunch of damn socialists won the Super Bowl.

That just ain't Amerakur. Our war hero George Bush had to watch after all he did to save Amerakur from these socialist pigs. I thank them tearists riggged taht game.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[Better Believe It]

25. If Green Bay falls to commie pinkos Oshkosh might be next bygosh!

[Elwood P Dowd]

28. You is wright.

It wood serve them commies rightif Oshkosh fail too that librul, commie din of inequiety.

[Sabriel]

34. Unlikely that Oshkosh will fall

Our biggest industry is Oshkosh Truck, which cranks out gazillions of $$ worth of military vehicles every year. The contracts just keep rollin' in....

[cherokeeprogressive]

26. This Steelers fan says CONGRATS CHEESEHEADS!

Fucking AWESOME performance!

[Monique1]

27. Loved the game

Guess Bush is heading for the Brewskis lol

[treestar]

29. Stocks? Shareholders?

[rhett o rick]

32. Do you have a point or just trying to throw water on the celebration. nm

[blondeatlast]

31. Green Bay is a real community, too. Kudos! nt

[fishwax]

33. Congrats Packers!

It was a fun game to watch tonight.

:applause:

:kick:

[PeaceNikki]

37. Steelers were awesome opponents and their fans have been total class acts!

Here are a few of great articles:

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=6074035&sportCat=nfl

And, by the way, shareholders vote for the team's board of directors. Nothing against Steelers fans, but Packers followers do more than wave Terrible Towels. They influence team policy.

Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun established the Packers' franchise in 1919. That's 14 years before Art Rooney Sr. purchased the then-named Pittsburgh Pirates. That's 23 years before Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was even born and 33 years before the Dallas Texans became the last NFL franchise to fail.

Sorry, "America's Team" isn't supposed to fold.

So the Packers have history on their side. First publicly owned NFL franchise. First NFL franchise to hire a gap-toothed Vince Lombardi as its head coach. First team to win the Super Bowl. First team to win two Super Bowls in a row. First team to have a Broadway play about its head coach. First team to make "frozen tundra" part of the football lexicon.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6079827

You root for the Packers in this Super Bowl because Green Bay is the last little town to keep its team. You want it for Decatur, Ill., which lost its team to Chicago, and Portsmouth, Ohio, which lost its to Detroit, and Pottsville. Pa., which lost its to Boston. You root for the Packers for the same reason you root for Roberto Benigni to win the Oscar or Buster Douglas to win the fight. It's right.

You root for the Packers in this Super Bowl because it's more than just Green Bay's football team. It's the blood in their veins and the asphalt under their tires. They drive down Lombardi Avenue. They speed down Holmgren Way. They park on Reggie White Way. They learn at Vince Lombardi Elementary and daydream of starring at Lambeau Field. And if they lose Sunday, there will be a line to jump off Ray Nitschke Bridge.

You root for the Packers in this Super Bowl for guys like the one on PackerForum.com writing about hearing his mom shriek downstairs and thinking she's in trouble and running down to find her in her robe and slippers shrieking in delight at the man standing in the doorway, Packers god Bart Starr, who had stopped by to drop off some gifts as thanks for the guy cutting Starr's lawn and shoveling his sidewalk this year.

You root for the Packers in this Super Bowl because being a Steelers fan is a sickness but being a Packers fan is incurable. In Green Bay, Packers gas up where you gas up, pray where you pray, eat where you eat. The players are like family, which means they get yelled at a lot. "That's the thing that's a little different here," says All-Pro Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. "If you mess up here, the lady at the grocery store will let you know."

And stories of 2 AMAZING Packers:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?id=6069357
It is there, in Driver's hometown of Houston, where you will hear the stories about a kid nicknamed Quickie, who spent part of his childhood homeless and sold drugs to help put food on the table. Houston is where you'll learn about a teenager who one day chose a different path, vowing to his brother that he would "make it." It's where you'll learn about a man who has dedicated the rest of his life being a role model on and off the field.

Just 265 miles separate the Houston home where Driver spent his high school years and Cowboys Stadium, where the wide receiver will run onto the field for Super Bowl XLV next Sunday. But it might have been easier had Driver tried to walk to the moon. That's how unlikely a trip it was. And yet here he stands, prayers answered.

Thus, it shouldn't be a surprise that when the words "Super Bowl" and "Donald Driver" are mentioned in the same sentence around here, tears start to fall.

"If good things are supposed to happen to good people, then great things are supposed to happen to Quickie," said Jim Duffer, one of Driver's high school basketball coaches. "Nobody deserves any of this more than he does."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/03/us-nfl-superbowl-homeless-idUSTRE71207A20110203
"I grew up in homeless shelters from coming out of the hospital until I was a freshman in high school. It was a tough time," Jones told reporters on Wednesday.

"As a little kid, you don't understand why you are there. When I go back to these homeless shelters and talk to these kids, I let them know that it is not your mother's fault and better days are ahead."

James eventually moved in with his paternal grandmother during high school to help his mother get back on her feet, and after excelling in basketball, American football and athletics he won a scholarship to San Jose State University.

After an impressive senior year in college he was selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Packers and impressed from the outset.

[eridani]

39. Too bad the "Give Fans a Chance" act has been shelved

http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=744&Itemid=144

Today, in response to the decision this week by Major League Baseball owners to eliminate two teams prior to the start of the 2002 season, Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR) re-introduced his Give Fans a Chance legislation. The Give Fans a Chance Act of 2001 gives communities a voice when sports team owners attempt to relocate or eliminate a team. This legislation recognizes the fact that professional sports teams are an integral part of the fabric that makes up our communities.

"If the owners have their way, two communities that have poured their hearts and money into their teams and stadiums will be feeling worse than the residents of Mudville after the mighty Casey struck out - at least the fans of the Mudville nine were able to look forward to next year," said Blumenauer.

Blumenauer's bill accomplishes three important objectives. It eliminates league rules that disallow public ownership of sports team franchises, gives communities a voice in team relocation decisions and ties broadcast antitrust exemptions to the bill's requirements. The legislation makes professional sports leagues and their team owners appropriately consider the communities of which they are a part. Taxpayers and fans contribute soul and money to the teams of their communities and they deserve a voice when the threat of team relocation or elimination steps into the batter's box.

[florida08]

41. It was a great game

Even though Aguilera screwed up the anthem in more ways than one. That Dallas stadium is state of the art. Huge monitors. Some seating errors left a few hundred fans out but I couldn't understand why people would pay $200 to stand outside the stadium?? How cold was it there last night? And of course they had to show Bush.

[bongo_x]

56. Those are some dedicated fans...

>I couldn't understand why people would pay $200 to stand outside the stadium?? How cold was it there last night? And of course they had to show Bush.<

Wait a minute, they had pay $200, stand outside in the cold, and do what??? That’s pretty harsh.

bb

[florida08]

64. to say they went I guess

but they got rained on..awww..

ARLINGTON, Texas - Thousands of people packed the Party Plaza outside Cowboys Stadium to watch Super Bowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers – until they got rained on around halftime.

The rain put a real damper on things for fans that paid $200 just to stand and watch the game on a big screen.

Some said it was still worth it just to say they were there.

“It’s all good. It’s all good,” said one Steelers fan.

Another fan said he paid $400 to get in and it was the best money he ever spent.

But one woman said it was way to wet and cold for her. Fortunately she got into the Party Plaza for free.



http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/020611-rain-falls-on-fans-in-party-plaza

Welcome to DU

[Wait Wut]

69. AAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Thank you!

[JackDragna]

45. Their fans are still thick-headed, cheese-eating rubes.

..rooting for a team that's a pathetic speck on the map.

Go Bears.

*grumblegrumble*

[eowyn_of_rohan]

49. just some of them

be fair, you FIB! ;)

[PeaceNikki]

53. The Bears fans are bitter, bitter jerkholes.

For the most part.

And I say that after having lived in Chicago for 15 years and after being friends with the late, great Walter Payton, seeing him almost daily, for 2.

[JackDragna]

72. Not any worse than the ever-so-wonderful Packer fans..

..who moon the departing team buses when teams play at Lambeau and lose and cheer their heads off when the Pack cheap-shots opposing players. I have friends of mine in Wisconsin who won't take kids to Packer games because of how boorish the fans are.

[nomb]

74. Every Bears fan I know supported the Packers at the bowl. No one wanted the AFC over the NFC

[blindpig]

46. Sure wish Baltimore had had that arrangement 20 years ago.

BALTIMORE COLTS, accept no substitute.

[malaise]

47. That's why we always support them

Congrats!!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

48. Wisconsin state capitol glows green & gold!

Hooray for the Pack!! From Madison:

[DeSwiss]

50. K&R

http://www.readersupportednews.org/opinion2/403-sports/4799-what-makes-nfl-football-so-great-socialism">What Makes NFL Football So Great? SOCIALISM -- By Bill Maher

:)

[xxqqqzme]

52. My RW, gun totin' rethug brother

is a shareholder. He lives in Sacramento - has never lived in Wisconsin. He uses his frequent flyer miles to go to home games, stays to help clean up the stadium after the games. Wonder if he knows he is part of a socialist group?

[Better Believe It]

55. You should tell him about the socialist Packers! Maybe copy Zirin's article and send it to him.

I'm sure he'll love it!

:)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x367386

[Bluzmann57]

57. Packer fan checking in...

And I own one share of stock which gives me voting rights, etc., although I have never attended any meetings.
I'm as happy as can be today. GO PACK GO!

[ChiciB1]

60. The Packers Have Been The ONLY Football Team I've Ever Been A Fan Of...

THIS IS THE REASON! Once I watched football with my husband but as time has gone by I just don't care to watch the games anymore. But waaaaaay back when I was very young, I recall the ICE BOWL with Dallas & Green Bay, I lived in Texas at the time and EVERYONE around me were Cowboy fans and I was a LONE "wolfess" who screamed my support for the "cheese heads." Not because I ever lived in WI or anywhere near, I just went with them because I had found out they were a small town. Then I wasn't aware of the specifics and as I grew up and learned more I was more than glad that I was one of their fans!

Many years have passed since then, I have rarely even thought about football much all these years UNLESS I hear that Green Bay is in the play offs and/or Super Bowl! THERE ARE some things from the past that still warm my heart. Unfortunately we live in a time where we as a people have so little control over our very own lives and are at the mercy of so much MONEY & GREED!

Not that the Super Bowl isn't ALL ABOUT MONEY these days, but it's nice to know that Green Bay doesn't "seem" to have sold out completely. And since I've become more cynical that I ever thought possible I can't help but wonder how much longer things will stay the same.

But, GOOD on GREEN BAY!!! Thanks for posting the information....

[SnowCritter]

61. Congrats to the Packers!

As a die-hard Vikings fan it is now incumbent on me to go and wash out my mouth. :hide:

Seriously, it was one of the best games I've ever seen.

[muntrv]

62. That's what makes the Packers great. Although let's praise Steelers owner Dan Rooney

for the creation of the Rooney rule (must interview minority candidates for head coach).

[thelordofhell]

67. Ambassador Dan Rooney

America's Ambassador to Ireland. And also a HUGE supporter of President Obama.

[cascadiance]

63. Congrats Cheeseheads for doing something right this year in my book!

... that speaks up for people's values again!

I was a bit worried earlier when you threw out Democrats out of the Senate, governorship, and other political offices there.

And was personally bummed when the only Iowa football game I traveled to see in person this year was their game against Wisconsin, which Wisconsin won in the last minute!

And I won't even talk about an old boss I had from that state in a previous job earlier...

Thank you Green Bay for giving me something to cheer for in that state for a change!

[FailureToCommunicate]

65. Heck, if I'd known that, I wouldn't have rooted for the losing team!

(You see, us Patriots fans were casting about for a team to back.)

Now, if only the Packers could get some CHEERLEADERS...


(jk, jk)

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[postulater]

68. President Dominic Olejniczak lived in a small ranch house in a quiet neighborhood

in Green Bay. Not what you would expect for an "Owner".

I thawed out at a party in his basement after the Ice Bowl.

[SidDithers]

70. Shareholders, a board of directors, an elected president...

How is this socialism?

Sid

[nomb]

76. People confuse the people (some) of Green Bay owning the team with the city of Green Bay owning it

[Art_from_Ark]

77. There are "shareholders", but they don't make any money

The franchise is a non-profit organization, and profit is not the motivation to "invest" in the team. Basically, most shareholders seem to be average Joes and Janes who are pooling their resources for what they perceive as a greater, common good.

[sarcasmo]

71. Kick.

[cheneyschernobyl]

75. That's exactly why I rooted for Green Bay

to win the Super Bowl.

[Blacksheep214]

78. Maybe I missed it

but where were the riots and car burnings like they have in the "big" cities when they win?

Like the team, Green Bay is keeping it classy.

As a shareholder it feels great to say MY TEAM WON!!!!