Understanding Packers Ownership Structure
The Green Bay Packers are the only community-owned franchise in the NFL, operating as a nonprofit organization under Wisconsin law. The team is governed by a Board of Directors elected by shareholders, and no individual or entity can hold a controlling interest as stated on the official Packers website. This structure means fans can buy shares, but those shares do not provide profit, dividends, or resale value. Ownership is symbolic and tied to the team's unique public trust model.
How the Nonprofit Ownership Model Works
The Packers are organized as a nonprofit corporation under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization holds the team's assets, and the franchise cannot be sold, moved, or taken private without a vote of the membership per filings and legal disclosures. This structure protects the team from acquisition by outside investors and ensures all control remains with the fan base and a board of directors.
How to Buy Packers Shares
The Packers periodically issue new shares of stock to raise capital for stadium improvements and team operations. These shares are sold through the Green Bay Packers Stock Corporation, and each share comes with a certificate, voting rights, and an invitation to the annual shareholders meeting. The most recent stock offering raised over $60 million, with shares priced at $300 per share as of the latest public offering details according to Forbes coverage of the stock offering.
Eligibility and Purchase Process
Any individual over the age of 18 can purchase Packers shares, and there is no limit on the number of shares one person can buy. Shares are sold exclusively through the Packers' official stock site and are not traded on any stock exchange. Each share includes one vote for the Board of Directors, but shares cannot be resold, inherited, or used as collateral for loans as confirmed by the Packers' stock page.
Rights and Limitations of Packers Shareholders
Shareholders receive voting rights for the Board of Directors and the right to attend the annual meeting, but they do not receive dividends, profit distributions, or equity appreciation. The team's articles of incorporation explicitly state that shares have no intrinsic financial value and cannot be sold on the secondary market. This makes Packers ownership a unique form of civic participation rather than a traditional investment.
Governance and the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is elected by shareholders and oversees the team's operations, stadium decisions, and compliance with NFL rules. The board currently consists of 15 members, and the team has not had a controlling owner since the death of founder Vince Lombardi's era leadership structure ended per the Packers' official governance page. This model ensures the team remains accountable to the community of shareholders rather than a single wealthy individual.