MILWAUKEE, WI – A statewide group of community and business leaders announced today that they are launching the Home Crew Coalition in support of a solution to keep Major League Baseball in Wisconsin for the next generation. The launch follows news of the need for adequate resources to ensure American Family Field can continue to serve as home to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The new coalition supports finding a bipartisan solution, and aims to raise awareness about the important economic benefits the ballpark provides to Wisconsin, where it has generated an estimated $2.5 billion in statewide economic impact since opening in 2001.
The Coalition will be chaired by Omar Shaikh, a respected Milwaukee area restaurateur, developer and avid Brewers fan. Joining Shaikh, the membership of the Home Crew Coalition is comprised of leaders from all corners of the state, with diverse backgrounds:
- Omar Shaikh, restaurateur and developer (Home Crew Coalition chairperson);
- Andrew Disch, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters;
- Mike Grebe, retired attorney, local philanthropist, and former chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin;
- Dan Kapanke, La Crosse Loggers Baseball Team owner and former state senator;
- Tracy Johnson, Commercial Association of REALTORS Wisconsin;
- Ashok Rai, Prevea Health;
- Peggy Smith, VISIT Milwaukee;
- Jim Villa, NAIOP Wisconsin; and
- Rob Zerjav, The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
“The Milwaukee Brewers are a point of pride for Wisconsin and it’s important that we do what is needed to ensure Major League Baseball is preserved in our state for the next generation,” said Shaikh. “Generating thousands of jobs and billions in direct spending, it’s important that we recognize the massive economic impact the team and the ballpark have on our state. Through our collective efforts, the Home Crew Coalition aims to deliver that message statewide and ensure the Brewers can call American Family Field their home for years to come.”
