Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio has expressed optimism about the status of negotiations involving renovations to American Family Field and indicated Saturday he wants to make sure the team stays in Milwaukee, according to the Associated Press.
The Brewers have called American Family Field home since 2001 and have a lease that expires in 2030. State Democrats and Republicans have been debating on stadium renovation funding plans for several months.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers proposed a plan in which the state would spend $290 million in repairs and the Brewers would extend their lease by 13 years, through 2043. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that plan wouldn’t work and indicated he wanted to come up with a deal that included a longer commitment from the Brewers to remain in Milwaukee.
Attanasio believes they can eventually reach a consensus.
The Brewers’ lease calls for the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District to cover repairs. Evers and the team have said the district does not have enough money to pay for what is needed. Evers’ proposal suggested funding the repairs through a one-time cash payment from a projected $7 billion state budget surplus.
