Packers President & CEO Ed Policy has “started searching for creative ways to keep his franchise financially competitive in an unequal business landscape,” according to Ryan Wood of the GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE. The Packers have “long benefited in football from being the only NFL team without a private owner,” allowing their football operation to “make decisions without meddling.” However, it is a “potential disadvantage in business.” As teams are “raising significant capital selling minority stakes to private-equity firms or deep-pocketed individuals,” Policy fears the Packers “eventually falling behind.” Policy sounded “more open to granting licensing rights to the Packers’ practice facilities” such as the Don Hutson Center, Ray Nitschke Field and Clarke Hinkle Field. The team also “increased ticket prices for the 2026 season between $4 and $22 per seat,” depending on location. Wood wrote, “Don’t be surprised if there’s another increase in the near future.” Policy stressed that the economics are “not a problem for now.” But he noted that it “doesn’t take long in the current arms race of professional football to fall behind” (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 4/1).
LOOKING INTERNATIONALLY: Wood in a separate piece wrote it “remains possible the Packers could play a scheduled road game internationally.” Two current options exist: against the Saints in Paris, or the Lions in Munich. Policy said, “Frankly, I would love to play the Lions in Munich this year.” Wood: “Much better than venturing into Ford Field.” What makes that matchup “even more of a possibility” is Germany was selected as “one of three primary global markets” for the Packers along with the U.K. and Ireland. (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 4/1).