The Green Bay Packers are the most unique franchise in all of professional sports. Not only do they hold 13 NFL titles, the most in league history, but they are the only team that does not have an individual owner. While Mark Murphy (and soon Ed Policy) acts as the CEO/President of the team, the Packers are owned by the fans.
From time to time, the team will make shares available for fans to purchase. The money raised in these sales is used to fund building projects and additions/renovations to Lambeau Field. Fans, meanwhile, receiver a certificate stating they are an owner and can attend the annual shareholders meeting.
And while fans of other NFL teams may poke fun at how Green Bay is funded and run, not having a majority owner has kept the Packers from making unfortunate headlines that other teams do because of meddling owners.
Green Bay Packers Legend Charles Woodson Has Bought Part of the Cleveland Browns
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But while the Packers are owned by their fans, every other franchise is owned by a primary stakeholder and several small investors. The Cleveland Browns, for example, are owned by Jimmy Haslam (who also owns a large percentage of shares in the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA).
Last year, NFL legend Tom Brady made waves by purchasing a small percentage in the Las Vegas Raiders. And now he is being joined in NFL ownership by a Green Bay great.
According to a report in The Athletic, Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson has bought 0.1% of the Browns from Haslam:
“Charles Woodson plans to purchase a 0.1 percent stake in the Browns from the Haslam family, a league source told The Athletic on Thursday. Jimmy and Dee Haslam have owned the Browns since 2012.
“Woodson, 48, has spent the last three seasons working as an analyst for Fox after an 18-year playing career that led to his induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. The sale is contingent upon Woodson agreeing to similar broadcasting restrictions to Raiders owner Tom Brady.”
The report goes on to state that, in compliance with these restrictions, Woodson will have to remove his name from his famed Woodson Whiskey business as well as his wine company. It would violate NFL policy if his name remained. He can still own those companies and sell their product, but his name cannot be on the packaging or marketing.
More Green Bay Packers News from Gridiron Heroics
- Packers Poised to Sign a New Quarterback for the 2025 NFL Season
- “They’re Thrilled with What They’ve Got;” NFL Analyst Shoots Down Packers Trade Rumors
- “We’re in a Good Place;” Packers See NFL Analyst Leak Jaire Alexander Update
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