This is an artist's rendition of what the south end of Lambeau Field will look like when the current project is completed.

When the Green Bay Packers announced a few months back that the NFL franchise would launch its fifth stock sale, there was much snickering and giggling in the background. Two-hundred-and-sixty-eight-thousand transactions later, that snickering by the naysayers is all gone and the Packers are taking $67 million to the bank where they will earmark it to be utilized in the $143 million upgrade to Lambeau Field that will add about 7,000 seats to the south side of the iconic stadium, completing enclosing the bowl.

You want to talk home field advantage now? If you thought it was loud at Lambeau before, this will certainly increase the decibels.

Those are all good things for the Packers organization which is not only one of the oldest franchises in the league, but also one of the most business-savvy. What is sort of amazing is the fact that more than 90 percent of the sales were completed via the Internet. So, not only are the Packers banking on their brand recognition as an important part of marketing, but it is also using the power of the Web to promote the team.

Another important factor in the sales was the number of those living outside the area who bought in. While half of the sales came from those living in Wisconsin, 8.5 percent each came from Illinois (hear that, Bears fans?) and California. Texas and Minnesota each accounted for 5 percent of the sales. And in a two-day flurry of sales, 2,000 Canadians also bought in.

Though the Packers brass figured conservatively when estimating the number of sales the stocks would generate, they are also very pleased with the final outcome – a result that will give the team even greater options on this and future projects at the stadium site.

In the meantime, be prepared to enter Lambeau Field that has a whole new look with a fan base that is energized not only by the on-field product they have come to adore, but because hundreds of thousands of them are actual owners of the team.

That unique fact will never be found with any other franchise.

So, stop with the snickering and giggling … the NFL’s franchise situated in the smallest geographic area with the smallest overall population just grew to be the largest in heart and tradition.

Suck on that Jerry Jones.

Packers stock is now being offered to Canadian citizens

The Green Bay Packers announced today that the franchise is now offering stock options to Canadian citizens, so if you are a Packers fan living north of the border, now is the time to buy.

Approximately 17,000 shares are still available, so the Packers brass thought it a great idea to extend the offer to those fans in Canada.

“Since launching our sale in the United States, we’ve received a lot of interest from our fans in Canada,” Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said. “After receiving approval from the NFL, we have now clarified the regulatory requirements in Canada and are excited to offer ownership to our fans there.”

You haven’t had the chance to get around to purchasing your share? Well, now is the opportunity.

The stock sale will now continue until Feb. 29 … that is unless all the shares being offered have been sold.

The Packers public relations issued the following release … check it out.

PACKERS STOCK OFFERING NEARING 250,000 SHARES SOLD

Team Expanding Offering By 30,000 Shares

Supporters of the Green Bay Packers’ fifth stock offering have purchased nearly 250,000 shares, the organization reported Tuesday. The team is expanding the offering by 30,000 shares to accommodate the continued interest.

The offering will continue until Feb. 29, 2012, unless prior to that date the Packers sell the maximum number of shares that they are offering.

“The support from our fans has been outstanding and we appreciate their enthusiasm,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “We continue to receive interest in the offering, and this increase in the number of available shares will help ensure that we are able to accommodate all those who want to become shareholders.”

Proceeds from the offering will go toward the expansion of Lambeau Field, a $143 million project that includes 6,700 seats and new video boards and will be complete for the 2013 season. Other financing components include a traditional loan and possible NFL funding.

The offering document and purchasing information are available online at www.packersowner.com. Fans interested in purchasing shares are encouraged to go online to view the document and make a purchase, as it is the most efficient method. Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express) can be used online. For those without internet access, a toll-free number – 855 8-GO PACK (855-846-7225) – is available to request the offering document by mail for transactions to then be completed by mail.

For new shareholders who have questions about their ownership, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services is available at 800-891-2981, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., CST.

Following is a list of offering details:
·         The price per share is $250, with a $25 handling charge per transaction (no matter how many shares are purchased).
·         Currently, the offering is limited to persons in the United States, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
·         Shares can be purchased online with credit or debit cards, and also via mail.
·         Only individuals (including spouses as joint tenants) are able to purchase shares; individuals can purchase shares as a gift for other individuals.
·         No one may buy more than 200 shares (counting any shares that the person purchased in the 1997-1998 offering).
·         The offering will continue until Feb. 29, 2012, subject to extension, unless prior to that date the Packers sell the maximum number of shares that they are offering.
Interested fans should note:
·         Stock in the Packers does not constitute an investment in “stock” in the common sense of the term.
·         The Packers have no obligation to repay the amount a buyer pays to purchase Packers stock.
·         Anyone considering the purchase of Packers stock should not purchase the stock to make a profit or to receive a dividend or tax deduction or any other economic benefits.
·         The offering of Packers stock is made only through the offering document.
·         The Packers believe offerees and purchasers of Packers stock will not receive the protection of securities laws with respect to any offering or sale of Packers stock.
·         The Packers bylaws and NFL rules severely restrict transfers of Packers stock.

The rush is on ...

In the first 11 minutes that Green Bay Packers stock was available for sale today, fans bought up $400,000 in certificates that basically have no value – that according to Bloomberg.com.

Packers president Mark Murphy was quoted as saying, “This is a significant and historic time for the organization. In the first 11 minutes, we had 1,600 sales.”

The Packers are raising money to help pay for a $143 million renovation of Lambeau Field that will add two gates, new scoreboards, a new sound system and about 6,700 seats before the start of the 2013 season, according to the team.

Needless to say, it might behoove you, if interested in purchasing stock in the team this time around, to get around to contacting the team with your credit card in hand.

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One would think that Vince Lombardi would be proud of the Green Bay Packers today.

However, if you don’t know already, should you plunk down the $250 required for the stock certificate, don’t expect more than that. There will be no dividends, no profit … nada … for buying into the plan.

You will get only bragging rights and the piece of paper that you might want to hang on your den or office wall next to your high school and college diplomas.

That’s it.

For fans, it’s a great thing. They can claim ownership in the National Football League’s only publicly-owned team. But that’s it.

While Packers fans will relish in the opportunity to buy their stock and watch their dollars used to help toward the cost of renovating the south end zone of Lambeau Field – a project that will enclose that end of the stadium with about 7,000 more seats and allow for improvement to the video and sound, as well as many other amenities – there are some out there who have gone on record saying the sale is ridiculous.

One such posting came from Fansided’s San Francisco 49ers blogger, Matt Hamm, whose blog about the issue can be accessed here.

His column has raised many eyebrows, including my own. Judge for yourself.

And in the meantime, see the official press release by the Packers after the jump. The release includes all information you will need to participate … check it out after the jump and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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The Packers stock sale details will be announced tomorrow at Lambeau Field.

Details about the Green Bay Packers’ fifth stock sale will be announced tomorrow, Tuesday morning, Dec. 6, at an 8 a.m. press conference.

The team’s press release today said the announcement will be made in the Packers media hall at Lambeau Field.

Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy will announce details of the sale.

Here are some of the details that have been released by the Packers PR department:

The Green Bay Packers today announced preliminary details for the organization’s upcoming
stock offering, just the fifth in its 92-year history.

More information, including the formal offering document, will be available when the offering
commences. Interested fans will be able to access the full information online at
www.Packers.com.

“We appreciate the interest that fans have expressed in our fifth stock offering,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “We are not yet in a position to fully discuss the offering.

However, this information will answer some of the initial questions that we’ve received. We look forward to formally launching the offering next week.

“We ask fans to look for details Dec. 6 on Packers.com.”

See a list of details currently available and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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