Policy discusses long-term
adjustments Packers could make to stay financially competitive
[July 25, 2026]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
Green Bay Packers president/CEO Ed Policy says adjustments may be
necessary as the NFL’s only publicly owned franchise attempts to
remain financially competitive in the long term.
“It’s like other teams have access to this ATM machine that we just
don’t have right now,” Policy said Friday as the Packers released
their annual expenses and revenues for the 2026 fiscal year, three
days before the organization holds its annual shareholders meeting.
The Packers reported an operating loss for the first time in a
non-pandemic year since the 1990 fiscal year, though the team’s
overall net income was up 54.8%. The Packers had $132.5 million in
net income due to the $133.6 million they received in nonoperating
revenues, which included gains in corporate investments plus their
share from ESPN’s purchase of NFL Network.
Each of the NFL’s 32 teams received $453.2 million from the NFL,
which mainly comes from the league’s TV contracts.
In operating costs, the Packers reported $753 million in revenues
and $754.1 million in expenses. Revenues were up 4.7%, but expenses
increased 18.7%.
Policy said the rise in expenses was due to a $130 million increase
in player costs. The Packers acquired All-Pro edge rusher Micah
Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys last year and signed him to a
four-year, $188 million contract with $136 million guaranteed. They
also accelerated payments to some players who were traded.
“We’re going to have to be more aggressive with revenue generation
going forward,” Policy said. “We all know the cost of competing in
the NFL is going up, and other teams have access to capital sources
that we just don’t have.”
Policy noted that the ability of other NFL franchises to sell
minority interests in their team puts the Packers at a potential
disadvantage in the long run.
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Green Bay Packers president Ed Policy walks on the field before a
NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7, 2025, in
Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)
“For example, a team can sell 5 to 10% of their
equity without giving up any controlling interest in the team, and
they could raise more money than we have in our capital reserve fund
in just a matter of months,” Policy said.
Policy emphasized the Packers have no plans to sell naming rights to
Lambeau Field, but they are willing to do that with their practice
facility. The football field at Titletown – the development just
west of Lambeau Field featuring offices, shops, restaurants and
apartments – already has been renamed Emplify Health Field under a
new sponsorship deal.
The Packers also are planning more events at Lambeau Field similar
to the Luke Combs concerts that happened in May and the Notre
Dame-Wisconsin football game that will take place Sept. 6.
“I feel very good about the Packers’ financial strength and
condition in the medium term and the short term, certainly,” Policy
said. “But we are keeping a very close eye on some of these
long-term trends, looking at how they impact us and our financial
health in the long term.
“We do have to make sure that we’re always in a position where we
can continue to invest wisely in whatever it takes to field a
championship-caliber team, whether that’s player costs, football
staff or facilities.”
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