“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work,” said Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. These words embody the ethos of the Packers’ success both on and off the field. Established in 1919, the Packers have the triple distinction of: 1) being the only community-owned major league professional sports team in the U.S., 2) winning more games than any other NFL team, and 3) having played in their original city longer than any other team in the NFL. How has all of this been possible given that Green Bay, Wisconsin is the smallest market in U.S. professional sports?
Ultimately, the Packers’ greatness is the legacy of Earl “Curly” Lambeau, born in Green Bay in 1898. Lambeau was a high school football star who went on to attend Notre Dame University and played for the fabled Knute Rockne. Lambeau began working at the Indian Packing Company and solicited funds from his employer to sponsor a football club he had established. He was given $500 for uniforms and equipment on the condition that the team be named after its sponsor—yes, the “Packers” refers to meat packing, not backpacking! Lambeau was an extraordinary player for the fledgling Packers and pioneered the passing style of play, infuriating opponents with his unconventional strategies for winning games.
Additionally, Lambeau formed the Green Bay Football Corporation in 1923, allowing residents to purchase shares and become part owners of the franchise. Rather than being the property of an individual or corporation, they are held by more than 500,000 stockholders and nobody may own more than 200,000 shares. This innovative ownership model became increasingly important in 1950 when the Packers faced the threat of relocation following a series of disappointing seasons. Overwhelming community support fostered a deep connection between the franchise and its fans.
The Packers are the last of the “small-town teams” that were common during the NFL’s early days. As Vince Lombardi, who coached the Packers to five NFL championships aptly said, “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.”