After tripling the number of shareholders during a recent stock sale, the Packers were bracing for a record turnout at the team’s annual meeting of persons who have bought stock* in the franchise. Perhaps they shouldn’t have.
According to Charles Davis of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, only 12,500 showed up at Lambeau Field, far short of the 1998 high-water mark of more than 18,000.
The number of tickets ordered for the event had the Packers expecting more than 25,000. But it could be that the same folks who plunked down $250 for a share of stock* asked for tickets not to attend the event but to add the tickets to their collection of Packers memorabilia. Right next to their share of stock*.
Another 21,000 shareholders watched the event online, via a feed available only to shareholders.
The Packers switched this year from a four-guest to a no-guest policy, after the recent stock* sale. Team president Mark Murphy said the team will consider revising that approach for next year, in light of the actual attendance this year.