Wisconsin Watch partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.
Yes.
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District contribute toward major capital repairs and improvements at their home stadium, American Family Field.
The annual contributions are $300,000 by the team, $1,791,852 by the district.
The team also contributes $408,148 that the district is required to put in the fund, for a combined contribution of $2.5 million.
The team’s contributions — totaling $708,148 annually — represent 28% from the team and 72% from the district.
When the district was formed, ownership of the stadium, originally named Miller Park, was 36% by the Brewers, 64% by the district.
The Brewers pay for routine maintenance.
A 0.1% five-county sales tax enacted to fund construction of the stadium raised $609 million over 24 years.
Gov. Tony Evers’ state budget calls for spending $290 million for long-term stadium improvements.
On March 8, 2023, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Evers’ plan “is dead,” but he was open to another proposal.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Wisconsin State Legislature Local Professional Sports Facilities Financing
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Brewers say American Family Field needs more public cash. Gov. Evers is proposing $290 million.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says Tony Evers’ $290 million Brewers deal for long-term American Family Field improvements likely ‘dead’
TMJ4 News Wisconsin Republican says Brewers stadium funding plan dead
State of Wisconsin Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces Plan to Keep Major League Baseball, Brewers in Milwaukee for 20 More Years
microsoftonline.com Second Amended and Restated Miller Park Lease Agreement
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
