Republicans propose $600m in Brewers stadium upgrades

American Family Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers, could be set for more than $600m (£484m/€561m) worth of upgrades as part of a bill proposed by Republican legislators in the state of Wisconsin.

The bill, announced yesterday (Monday), would see the state provide the team with $60.8m in the next fiscal year and up to $20m each year thereafter until 2045-46, the Associated Press has reported.

The City of Milwaukee would contribute $202m towards renovation work, with Milwaukee County to provide $135m and the team itself to contribute around $100m. The deal would keep the Brewers at American Family Field until 2050.

Renovation work would focus on new outfield doors, seats and concourses; upgraded suites, sound systems and video scoreboards; and repairs to the stadium’s retractable roof.

Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers’ president of business operations, stated that the proposal reflects lawmakers’ desire to keep the team in Milwaukee. The team has not expressed its support for the proposal, which would require approval from Tony Evers, the Democratic Governor of Wisconsin.

In February, Evers committed to providing $290m from the state’s surplus to repair American Family Field, which opened in 2001. These funds would be provided in exchange for the Brewers extending a lease deal to play at the stadium until 2043.

In response to yesterday’s announcement, Evers’ office issued a statement criticising the Republicans for rejecting his proposal.

The statement, reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, added: “Gov. Evers looks forward to reviewing Republicans’ proposal and continuing conversations on a plan that provides additional flexibility and minimises harm for local partners while ensuring we keep this important economic driver and thousands of jobs in our state.”

The Brewers’ current lease deal at American Family Field runs until 2030.