The Green Bay Packers is the only professional team in America (the world?) that is a publicly owned, a nonprofit corporation. The shares of the team are purchased by the fans. The team has no “owner”, just the salaried executives. The Green Bay Packers is truly by the people and for the people. This arrangement is unique and ideally preferred for a sports team.
- The Green Bay Packers corporation has a shareholder meeting and they publish a financial report. This is significant, especially this year when the major demand in the labor negotiations is for the owners to open up their books on expenses.
- The Green Bay Packers, despite their small media market, is financially sound. The team is able to compete for the best free agent players (hence they are in the Super Bowl). Here is why:
- The private owners siphon the revenues from their teams for multiple, undisclosed business ventures. Here in New England the Kraft family built a mall, restaurants, and who knows what, they also bought a soccer franchise. No one knows the extent of it, the books are closed. The NFL team ownership is a gift that guarantees a total monopoly in the their respective lands. The NFL owners appoint their family to the executive positions. As an example just look at the Kraft Chassidik Court here in Boston or the Rooneys in Pittsburgh.
There are also some significant reasons to root against the Pittsburgh Steelers:
- Pittsburgh is a moronic town. Provincial in the worst possible sense.
- The legacy of the Pittsburgh Steelers is questionable. As was recently reported: ”the franchise has lost 18 former players — age 35 to 58 — since 2000, including seven in the last 16 months.” Sadly, this likely means their bonehead defensive game run on steroids.
- Did I mention that Pittsburgh sucks, I though I did.
Go Green Bay Packers, the American Team!
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