Revealed! What is the only U.S. sports team owned by its fans?

Revealed! What is the only U.S. sports team owned by its fans?

Babu Tendu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:24 PM

In today's world of professional sports, finding a team owned by its fans is becoming increasingly rare. However, a unique club in the United States team defied the traditional ownership model by putting control of the team in the hands of its supporters. What is the only US sports team owned by its fans?

US sports team owned by fans
Discover the sports team that its supporters own. Photo by canva.com. (Modified by author).
Source: Getty Images

Since its inception, this club has committed to being transparent, accountable, and representative of its fans, who directly impact its operations. This has resulted in a side that is truly representative of its local community and a club culture that prioritizes the well-being of the team's supporters above all else.

What is a fan-owned club?

A fan-owned club is a sports side owned and controlled by its supporters rather than by a single individual or a group of investors. This type of ownership structure allows supporters to have a say in the club's decisions and direction and to ensure that the club operates in a manner that aligns with the fans' values and interests.

Sports team owned by fans
A detailed view of the Green Bay Packers logo is seen on the back of a media vest in action during a game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers on January 03, 2021. Photo by Robin Alam.
Source: Getty Images

Fan ownership can take various forms, including cooperatives, where fans pool their resources to purchase a stake in the side and make decisions collectively, or community-owned clubs, where the club is owned by a trust that represents the interests of the local community.

In either case, fan-owned clubs prioritize the club's and its supporters' well-being over profits. They often strive to create a more inclusive and sustainable club ownership and operation model.

Which football team is owned by the fans?

Green Bay Packers is the only fan-owned sports team in the United States. The Packers were founded in 1919 as an amateur football club in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and were later granted professional status in 1921.

Over the years, the team has become one of the most successful and iconic franchises in the National Football League (NFL). Its unique ownership structure has become a source of pride for the Packers'community.

The story of the Packers' fan ownership dates back to 1923, when the team was on the brink of bankruptcy. To save the side and ensure its future in Green Bay, a group of local citizens rallied to purchase shares in the team and form the Green Bay Football Corporation, marking the beginning of the Packers' transition to a community-owned side. Over the years, the side has been run by a board of directors elected by the shareholders.

Professional sports team owned by fans?

The Packers have remained fan-owned since, and this unique ownership structure has profoundly impacted the team and its relationship with the community. Unlike other NFL franchises owned by wealthy individuals or corporations, the Packers are owned by the supporters, for the supporters.

Professional sport team owned by fans
A Green Bay Packers helmet rests near the sidelines during the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, December 25, 2022. Photo by Peter Joneleit.
Source: Getty Images

This has allowed the team to remain deeply rooted in the community and operate in a manner that aligns with the residents' values and interests. The defining feature of the Packers' fan ownership is the team's close relationship with the community. The Packers are more than just a sports side. They symbolize the Green Bay community and an integral part of the local identity.

Fans of the team are deeply passionate and dedicated, and they have a direct say in the side's decisions and direction. This creates a sense of ownership and pride among the supporters, who feel they are part of something bigger than a football organization.

Community-owned sports team

Another critical aspect of the Packers' fan ownership is the team's commitment to sustainability and financial stability. The organization is run in a manner that prioritizes the long-term health of the franchise over short-term profits, and the supporters are deeply invested in ensuring that the team remains in Green Bay for generations to come.

The Packers are known for their conservative approach to financial management and commitment to investing in the squad and its facilities. One of how the Packers' fan ownership has benefited the community is through the side's charitable and community outreach efforts.

The squad is deeply committed to making a positive impact in Green Bay and has a long history of supporting local initiatives and organizations. The Packers have also been at the forefront of environmental sustainability and have taken steps to reduce their environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices.

US Sports team owned by fans

Despite its unique ownership structure, the Packers have remained competitive and successful. The side has won 13 NFL championships, including four Super Bowls, and has produced some of the greatest players in NFL history. The Packers' success on the field is a testament to the squad's commitment to excellence and its ability to attract top talent.

What is the only U.S. sports team owned by its fans?
Look on Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) with a Packers logo in the background during the Green Bay Packers versus the New York Jets game on December 23, 2018. Photo by David Kirouac.
Source: Getty Images

The Packers' fan ownership is a true American success story and serves as a model for other sports squads and communities. The squad's commitment to the community, its fans, and its heritage has allowed it to thrive and succeed, and it has helped to create a sense of pride and ownership among the supporters.

The Packers are more than just a sports team; they symbolize the Green Bay community and are an integral part of the local identity. And as long as they remain fan-owned, they will continue to be a source of inspiration and a shining example of what can be achieved through community spirit and teamwork.

Is Real Madrid fan owned?

Real Madrid Football Club is not fan-owned. Real Madrid is owned by a group of investors, including its president and members of the board of directors. The club operates as a limited liability company, with shares traded on the stock market.

While Real Madrid has a large and passionate fanbase, the ownership and control of the club rests with its shareholders rather than the supporters.

Fan-owned football league

Yes, there are fan-owned football leagues in the world. These leagues are structured in a manner that allows supporters to have a say in the direction and operation of their club and to ensure that the club operates in a way that is consistent with the values and interests of the supporters.

Fan ownership can take various forms, including cooperatives, where fans pool their resources to purchase a stake in the squad and make decisions collectively, or community-owned clubs, where the club is owned by a trust that represents the interests of the local community.

In either case, fan-owned football leagues prioritize the well-being of the clubs and their supporters over profits. They often strive to create a more inclusive and sustainable squad ownership and operation model.

What is the only US sports team owned by its fans? The Green Bay Packers are the only fan-owned sports team in the United States. The team is owned by a non-profit organization, the Green Bay Packers, Inc., controlled by its 360,584 shareholders.

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