Lawmakers include $2M for NFL draft in state budget

MADISON - State lawmakers writing the next two-year state budget voted Thursday to include in the spending plan $2 million to help pay for costs associated with the Green Bay Packers hosting the National Football League draft in 2025.

The funds are being allocated by the Legislature's budget-writing committee after Rep. David Steffen and Sen. Robert Cowles, both Republicans from Green Bay, asked the panel to include it. It's intended to cover a portion of the expected costs to the Packers to host the event, which Cowles and Steffen said could cost $7.5 million overall.

The measure pitched by Steffen and Cowles would require the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to provide a grant to the Experience Greater Green Bay Corp.

The league awarded Green Bay the 2025 draft during the league meeting last week in Minneapolis. The Packers estimate 240,000 people will attend the draft in Green Bay, generating a $94 million economic impact statewide and $20 million locally. Kansas City reported 320,000 visitors for the 2023 draft held in April.

“A $2 million investment for a $94 million return is phenomenal," Steffen said in a statement. "I am proud to have advocated for state support of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, given the significant positive financial impact this event will have on our state."

In other cities, local organizing groups take the lead in hosting the draft. Because Green Bay is the smallest market in the NFL, by a lot, the Packers will be more involved than other NFL teams normally are.

Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy:

“The Packers and Discover Green Bay are grateful and appreciative of the Joint Finance Committee for their inclusion of the $2 million in state support for hosting the NFL Draft," Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement.

"The Draft is an incredibly impactful opportunity for our region and state in tourism, hospitality, business development and talent attraction. Our organizing committee is thankful to our local representatives, Sen. Robert Cowles and Rep. David Steffen, for leading the effort for the support in the budget. We look forward to hosting an event that will be greatly enjoyed by all and will leave a lasting legacy for our communities.”

Richard Ryman of the Green Bay Press-Gazette contributed to this report.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

More: Money, not size of community, was key to getting the NFL draft in Green Bay

More: Did you know the NFL draft has been in Wisconsin before? Here's the story.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: $2M for Green Bay's 2025 NFL draft now part of state budget