SPORTS LINE
Possible path to Brewers ‘Beer District’.
American Family Field has 13,000 parking spots, 2,000 more than Disney’s EPCOT, that sit empty most days of the year. These spaces were built to accommodate tailgating before the games. Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger balked at the idea of developing some of that land last month, but based on the legislation, the team might have to at least look into it. Many want to make American Family Field a year around destination. The mayor called for things like possible apartments, restaurants, or hotels there. He pointed to examples including the Bucks’ Deer District and the Packers’ Titletown.
The latest change to the ballpark funding bill would require research into possible developments. That report would have to be finished in two years. There is a property tax exemption for the land outside the ballpark, so development may not boost that money – but it would create jobs and extra business. A 2020 Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce study found how much people going to Brewers games were spending outside the ballpark. The average city fan spent $6.39, compared to averages of $12 for fans from elsewhere in Wisconsin and $142 for out-of-state fans. Developing part of the surrounding area of the ballpark could bring in a large income year around and possibly help support the upkeep of the ballpark.
The Green Bay Packers continue to lose while remaining very entertaining.
Jordon Love is averaging two interceptions per game and seems headed for a bleak league record unless things change. His receivers bat down or bobble the ball all the time, in ways sometimes that make Packer fans laugh through their agonizing grief. The team plays with plenty of spunk and good cheer, however, and the Packer fans stay as loyal charged up but sleepy hound dogs just waiting for the real excitement to waft past their tail-gate deadened senses. Actually, the team doesn’t have a bad defense, it’s the offense that’s really the problem, and in particular it’s the air attack.
Aaron Rodgers is being missed a bit. The Packers don’t play this week, which with the way they’ve been playing so far this season, is almost as good as a win. The cold, snow, sleet, ice and freezing fog of winter will soon descend over most of Wisconsin with the coming of winter. There is always hope for the home team at Lambeau stadium for diehard Packer supporters, many of whom were alive to watch the famous ‘ice bowl’ game of December 31, 1967. It was a day with a wind chill of -37 below zero wherein there were no whistles by the referees, only shouted commands. The metal whistles they wore back at the time would instantly stick to their lips if blown.
