The first Saturday of every month, Packers President and CEO Ed Policy will write about a topic of interest to Packers fans and the organization and then answer fan questions. Fans are encouraged to email Ed with their name and hometown at: PolicysPerspective@packers.com.
As I enter my second month on the job as President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, I am happy to confirm that this remains the best job in sports. I’ve said it before, but I would be remiss to not mention how grateful I am to Mark Murphy for making this such a seamless transition. He left me and the rest of the team in a great position to get to work immediately preparing for an outstanding 2025 season.
Speaking of getting to work, you may have heard last week was a busy week around Lambeau. I know many of you were excited to see us add Micah Parsons to an already impressive core of talented players. I cannot speak highly enough of Brian Gutekunst, Russ Ball, Matt LaFleur and their teams for pulling together that deal. We remain one of the youngest teams in the NFL, but we are not inexperienced. Many of our young players have taken a lot of snaps together over the last couple of seasons. Our mix of youth and continuity could lead to a very special season.
This is truly an exciting time for the NFL and the Packers. The league has never been more competitive. Our team has put in a lot of hard work to prepare for our opener against the Lions this week and I know you all are excited for the season ahead. As we begin the season, I’m excited to kick off this series, Policy’s Perspective, where you’ll hear some of my thoughts on issues you all care about and I’ll take a few fan questions. Let’s leap into them…
Hello Mr. Policy, congratulations on this new role and we all wish you great success in work that means so much to so many. I have heard about the NFL’s determination to allow private equity firms to purchase portions of organizations. I was wondering how you feel this may impact the Packers and if the organization will be disadvantaged as a result? Thank you.
Thanks for your question, Doug. Last year, the NFL amended its ownership rules allowing team owners to sell up to 10% of their team to private equity funds. This is a significant change in the league that impacts all teams, including the Packers. The NFL has never been more competitive on or off the field. The Packers must compete with other teams that are owned by multi-billionaires. Those owners now also have access to private equity capital that they can invest in their teams. Many of those teams also receive hundreds of millions in public investments for their stadiums, which frees up additional capital for investment in their team.
Not only do we not have a billionaire owner, but we also don’t have the ability to tap into those other sources of capital. For that reason, we maintain and regularly contribute to a corporate reserve fund. Maintaining and growing that fund will be increasingly important. To put it in perspective, the owners of the teams that we are competing with can now sell 5-7% of their team to a private equity fund and in just a few months raise more than we currently have in our corporate reserve fund. We will continue to do everything within our power to ensure the Packers remain competitive despite the evolving landscape of the NFL and NFL ownership.
Hello Ed, first of all, congratulations on becoming the Green Bay Packers Team President! My question for you is this: One of your priorities was to “win football games,” which as a Packer fan I can support, and that has already been showcased by trading for Micah Parsons. However, I am curious to know how else you intend to help us win football games? I am excited for the future of the team and wish you the best. P.S. If you ever need a PTO day I would gladly fill in for you temporarily!
While I don’t need any PTO just yet, Madison, I appreciate your question. Winning football games will always be the No. 1 priority. As President and CEO I will ensure Brian, Matt, and Russ have all the guidance and resources they need to field a championship-caliber team. Our brand-new, state-of-the-art locker room is a perfect example of how we invest in our players and equip our team for success.
We have terrific football leadership, and I will support them in every way I can while not meddling in their jobs. No team needs two head coaches or two GMs. I will act as a chief facilitator, ensuring that our football leaders are communicating with one another and that they are getting everything they need from me and from one another to achieve our collective goal of winning football games and ultimately, winning the Super Bowl.
John from Aesch, BL, Switzerland (originally from South Milwaukee, now a Packers fan abroad)
Dear Mr. Policy, welcome to the swanky corner office at Lambeau! I appreciate your willingness to take on the challenge of being President and CEO of the Packers. You certainly have some mighty big shoes to fill. My question has to do with your vision(s) for the future of the Packers. After all the incredible achievements of Bob Harlan and Mark Murphy, the Packers are in a very different place than they were in 1989 when Mr. Harlan took the reins.
What do you see as areas in which the organization can improve on the situation the Packers currently find themselves? After the renovations of Lambeau and the development of Titletown, both of which helped make the Packers more financially secure, as well as even more connected to Green & Gold fans worldwide, what ideas do you have for not only maintaining those gains, but perhaps extending and expanding them? Thank you for your time, and good luck in all you do!
Thanks, John. It is fitting this question comes from an international fan. Both Bob and Mark did an outstanding job of navigating the ever-changing business landscape of the NFL. As we all know, times change, markets change, and candidly, the NFL changes. We will certainly continue to maintain and evolve Lambeau Field, so it remains both iconic and state of the art. We will also continue to develop and grow Titletown. I am also excited about the opportunities to grow the Packers’ brand and influence internationally. We have secured marketing rights in the UK, Germany, and Ireland. Millions of new fans in those countries will be picking their favorite football team over the next few years, and we all know that once you pick your favorite team you stay committed for a lifetime; in fact, your kids will most likely be fans too! I firmly believe the Packers story, that we are “The People’s Team,” will resonate with the millions of new international football fans as they make this critical, multi-generational decision. There are millions of Packers fans in homes and pubs from London to Dublin to Dusseldorf, they just don’t know it yet.
Hello Mr. Policy. In a couple days we meet the Lions. I sure hope we make Dan Campbell cry. Heck, ball it out. Now, onto some non-football stuff. Mr. Murphy helped out some outdoor groups. Will you? Walleyes for Tomorrow is hoping to get the Green Bay chapter going, again. The Packers’ help would be wonderful. Also, Ducks Unlimited and Wisconsin Waterfowl Association can always use your help. Just keep them in mind for us outdoor Packer fans. Us Packer fans don’t know much about you, Ed. So, first things first. Do you like beer? Regular or light? You like brats? With just mustard? Sauerkraut? Cheese curds? Plain or deep fried? Just trying to get some insight, that’s all. It doesn’t matter what you like as long as we get very good draft picks. Got it? Good. Have a great day.
Thanks for the question, Max. I saved this hard-hitting one for last. Over the years we have supported numerous groups who have promoted stewardship and engagement with the outdoors. As you mentioned, through Packers Give Back we’ve supported organizations like Ducks Unlimited, Whitetails Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever. We’ve also had the opportunity to partner with Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Baird Creek Preservation Foundation, and Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary through these efforts. We will continue promoting and supporting organizations that facilitate engagement with the great Wisconsin outdoors.
Now onto the hard stuff. When I have time for a beer, I either enjoy an ice-cold Miller Lite or a hazy IPA. I love a good brat with just mustard, but I occasionally spice it up with a little sauerkraut. Now for the most important, and potentially most controversial take, I’ll always have my cheese curds fried but I have nothing against a plain curd. Send my regards to Hawkeye and Radar, Go Mud Hens! I know I’m showing mine and Max’s age by acknowledging the M.A.S.H. reference, you younger readers may have to look it up on the Google.
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