GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers haven't ruled out again holding their shareholders meeting and the opening of training camp on the same day.
"That's to be determined. It was definitely worth the experiment," Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said Monday after the shareholders meeting.
Murphy was impressed with the energy around Lambeau Field on Monday when training camp fans and shareholders overlapped. Normally, training camp opens after the meeting, but the Packers started camp early this year because they start the season two days earlier than most of the league when they play on Sept. 6 in São Paulo, Brazil, against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The bleachers at Ray Nitschke Field were overflowing for the practice. The annual meeting drew 7,676 fans, a slightly lower in-person turnout than last year, but larger than the 5,000-plus the Packers were expecting. Murphy said the crowd at the practice was the best he's seen in his 17 years as Packers president and CEO.
Murphy reported Monday that local organizers of the 2025 NFL draft raised $8.1 million of the $8.5 million goal need to host the event April 24-26 in Green Bay. "I'm pretty optimistic we'll get it," Murphy said. "And the Packers are the backup."
The Packers previously committed $1 million to the fund.
It will be the largest event ever held in Green Bay, he said.
Other takeaways from Monday's meeting:
Packers continue to support DEI efforts, statewide nonprofits
The Packers remain unapologetically supportive of diversity, equity and inclusion, as does the NFL. In addition, the team is a regular financial supporter of organizations working for positive social change.
"It's very important for the organization ... We refer to everything by what we call 1G. You can see we have a focus on people, culture, community and learning," Murphy said.
Former Packers player Rob Davis leads the DEI and cultural initiatives, which include grants to organizations working for positive social change.
A major focus of the NFL during the draft is securing minority and diverse vendors for a range of services, with the added goal of helping those businesses thrive long term.
Murphy highlighted the Packers' charitable efforts, including its partnership with The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation in the annual Give BIG Green Bay campaign. The two-day effort in February raised $3 million this year for 50 organizations. It raised $13.4 million since its launch in 2018.
In 2023, the Packers Foundation gave $613,000 to human services organizations, $383,000 to organizations fighting hunger, $313,100 to homelessness organizations, $190,400 to organizations assisting the elderly.
The Packers' and Packers Foundation total charitable impact in the 2023 fiscal year was more than $11 million.
New and returning Packers directors elected
Bill Jartz, a WBAY-TV news anchor and "voice of God" announcer at Lambeau Field, and Michael Alexander, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay chancellor, were elected to the board of directors Monday, as previously reported. The following directors were reelected: Janeau E. Allman, Daniel T. Ariens, Michael J. Barber, Casey Cuene, Philip B. Flynn, Michael J. Haddad, Wilson R. Jones, William F. Kress, Donald J. Long Jr., Laurie A. Radke, Michael D. Simmer, Christopher S. Stiles and Elizabeth R. Trowbridge.
Simmer, the team's new lead director, and Ariens are on the executive committee. Barber is chairman of the Packers Foundation.
Packers announced new construction projects
Under Murphy's leadership, the Packers have been builders and renovators, from the Titletown district to continual improvements at Lambeau Field. Future projects include changes to the Packers' locker room, training room, equipment room, hydrotherapy area and media auditorium. A third locker room is under construction, to be used to special events, such as college football games.
Speaking of Titletown, Murphy said 31 of 35 townhomes along Brookwood Drive were sold and 99% of the apartments at Titletown Flats are occupied.
A two-story, 46,048-square-foot building east of the US Venture office buildingthat could be used for a fitness center and other retail businesses is under construction. An announcement on tenants is expected in the fall. The Packers administrative officers are under renovation; work is expected to be completed by early next year.
Players can wear those puffy helmet covers in regular season
Not business-related, but it is interesting to note that players can wear those puffy helmet covers called guardian caps during regular-season games this year. The caps are required for some positions during training camp. The NFL reported preseason injuries were down 14% last year with the use of the caps. Whether any players will chose safety over fashion remains to be seen.
Contact Richard Ryman atrryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at@RichRymanPG,on Instagram at@rrymanPGor on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG
