Gov. Evers signs Brewers ballpark funding bills

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers will stay in Wisconsin for the next 27 years after Gov. Tony Evers signed a pair of bills Tuesday to fund repairs at American Family Field, which the team calls home.

Back in February, the governor first pitched spending $290 million of the state’s surplus to cover maintenance and upgrades to the ballpark, of which the state owns two-thirds. Ultimately, months later, Republicans and Democrats reached a compromise on a plan relying on $500 million of public money. However, the deal will keep the team in Milwaukee for seven more years than first proposed.

“Major League Baseball defines Milwaukee as the smallest market in the sport. However, instead of size, I’ve always focused on a different measurement: the passion of this community,” Milwaukee Brewers Principal Owner Mark Attanasio told the crowd gathered at American Family Field for Tuesday’s bill signing.

The team will contribute $150 million, while the state’s share totals nearly $365 million, which the lead authors in the Assembly and Senate spent months convincing their colleagues to get across home plate.

“Getting to the final outcome, while it may have taken us eight months in a purple state, we’re here today,” State Rep. Robert Brooks, R-Saukville, said as he thanked his legislative colleagues.

“As a baseball fan, I think it’s a great deal, a good deal for taxpayers, and a great deal for Wisconsin,” State Sen. Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac, added.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said fans would rather see the sausages race than get made, referring to the legislative process in jest. However, with the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County evenly splitting a $135 million contribution, he is confident local governments won’t lose.

“Being able to see the additional flexibility with the revenues that Milwaukee County is going to have access to over the course of this lease is extremely beneficial,” Crowley explained. “It’s going to allow us to make sure we’re investing in our capital backlog, investing in programs and services, as we begin to move forward.”

With the governor having put pen to paper, the funding package is now state law.

“Losing this team would have had a ripple effect felt by families and communities across the state,” Gov. Evers stated. “Even far beyond Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin.”

The Brewers will now extend their lease from the year 2030 to 2050.

Those negotiations will begin soon and are to be managed by the Stadium District Board, which also was reorganized as part of the deal. The next step will be appointing members to serve that body.