How a town like Green Bay got (& kept) a franchise like the Packers

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By Christina Lorey

April 24, 2025

Green Bay, home of the Packers, is viewed as sort of a sports “dinosaur.” It’s the only remaining “small city” in not just the NFL, but all major league pro sports in North America.

🏈 LIST: The Smallest Market Teams in the NFL

While their media market of nearly 500,000 people includes the greater Green Bay area, the city itself has a population less than 110,000. That means Lambeau Field can hold 76% of Green Bay’s entire population!

So why Green Bay?

You have to remember that, in the early days of the NFL, most teams were from small towns and cities. While Chicago and Cincinnati had teams, so did cities like Akron, Canton, Rock Island, and Evansville. Most only lasted a decade–when they either crumbled or moved to a bigger market to stay afloat.

🏈 DEEP DIVE: Who really owns the Packers? A closer look at the ownership structure in Green Bay

But when the Packers hit financial troubles in the early 1920’s, the franchise decided to do something different: Sell shares of the team to the public. This created a bond between the community and the team that is still intact today.

ALSO FROM UPNORTH: Green Bay Guide — The Best Things to Do Besides Visit Lambeau

Author

Christina Lorey

Christina is an Edward R. Murrow-winning journalist and former producer, reporter, and anchor for TV stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, you can find her volunteering with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and various mental health organizations. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for her newsletter here.

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CATEGORIES: SPORTS

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