By Gregg Hoffmann
For WisBusiness.com
The Milwaukee Brewers are up to 130 sponsorships, which helps support a payroll that has reached $90 million, according to principal owner Mark Attanasio. That sponsorship number was around 70 a few years ago.
“I never thought I’d see the day when the first number of our payroll was a nine, but then the Cubs’ payroll starts with a one and a four, I believe,” Attanasio said in what has become a traditional Opening Day business update on the franchise.
“Our sponsors are up when they are down overall in baseball. The business community has responded well. Our fans have given great support and allow us to remain in the zip code.”
The Brewers also have signed a new cable contract with FOX, which kicks in at the start of the 2013 season. That, and optimizing the revenue possibilities from Miller Park, could help the team some day boost payroll to $100 million, Attanasio said.
“Of course, it’s not all about dollars and cents,” Attanasio said. “You have to make good decisions too, and I believe (GM) Doug Melvin and his staff have done that.
“I believe we could sneak up on some people this season. The division should be very competitive this year.”
Attanasio said he is committed to keeping Brewers’ games “an affordable experience” for fans and does not want to raise payroll through ticket price increases alone.
“We’ll explore other revenue sources from the ballpark, and think out of the box,” Attanasio said, mentioning the WWE wrestling circuit in an off-the-cuff remark.
Of course, one of the hottest topics is whether the Brewers will be able to sign slugger Prince Fielder to a long-term extension that goes past 2011.
“Prince is a great player, and he and Ryan (Braun) have become the face of our team.” Attanasio said. “We’ve said all along that we don’t want it to become a distraction for Prince.
“Such negotiations are complex transactions, which can’t be reached with a quick conversation and a handshake. We’ll continue the conversation, but won’t be giving updates all the time.”
Attanasio’s ownership teams is entering its sixth season. His father, Joseph, sang the national anthem for the sixth straight season. Going into Monday, the Brewers were 5-0 when Joe sang on Opening Day and 1-0 when he sang at the home playoff game in 2008.
“Some people have asked him why he doesn’t sing God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch, and he said we don’t pay him enough,” Attanasio said. “He’s here again this year, and we have a number of other family members and friends here.”
