Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023
Does Wisconsin own the stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play?
The Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District (64%) and the Milwaukee Brewers (36%) own American Family Field.
A 1995 state law created the district, composed of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha counties. It is "separate, distinct and independent from the state," according to the district's website.
The district’s board enacted a 0.1% sales tax for the five counties, effective in January 1996, to fund construction of the stadium, first known as Miller Park, which opened in 2001.
The tax, in place through March 2020, raised $609 million.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Aug. 11, 2023, that the Brewers could start looking for a new home this fall if state and local officials fail to reach agreement by then on a taxpayer-funded package to fund improvements to the stadium.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in February proposed spending $290 million for long-term stadium improvements. That was rejected by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Republicans hold a majority in the Assembly and the Senate.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Financial Statements | December 31, 2022
- Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Summary Of The Stadium District
- Wisconsin Watch Do the Milwaukee Brewers pay for some of the maintenance and improvements at their home stadium?
- Wisconsin Watch Milwaukee Brewers' stadium: How much have taxpayers paid?
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