Milwaukee Brewers Receive Serious Warning from MLB Concerning American Family Field

When the Milwaukee Brewers first opened Miller Park back in 2001, it was a state-of-the-art facility and one of the most beautiful ballparks in Major League Baseball. So beautiful, in fact, that Milwaukee was awarded the All-Star Game just one year after it opened. However, that was 22 years ago and things have changed. In an exclusive report by Newstalk 1130 WISN, it was revealed that MLB has issued a serious warning to the Brewers regarding the state of American Family Field.

The Milwaukee Brewers Are Required to Make Repairs to American Family Field

The Menomonee River (lower) is seen with American Family Field in the background in Milwaukee on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The Stadium District and Milwaukee Brewers are facing big increases in the ballpark’s insurance premium because of a risk of flooding from the nearby Menomonee River. The flooding would involve the river rising over a steep bank and flowing through a large parking lot and crossing Miller Park Way before eventually reaching the stadium.
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According to the exclusive report written by Dan O’Donnell:

“Major League Baseball has told the Milwaukee Brewers that they need to repair American Family Field to ensure it remains an MLB-caliber ballpark, “The Dan O’Donnell Show” has learned exclusively.

“While the league did not give the Brewers an explicit ultimatum, it was made clear that MLB will not allow American Family Field to “deteriorate” as Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (home of the Oakland A’s) has. Last month, the A’s announced a land purchase agreement that will move the team from Oakland to Las Vegas following the 2024 season.

“MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will be in Milwaukee for the Brewers’ game against the San Francisco Giants Thursday as part of a tour of all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. A source familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity said Manfred will further outline the league’s expectations when he meets with Brewers officials.

“The Brewers said earlier this year that American Family Field needs an estimated $448 million in repairs.”

Back in February, Wisconsin’s Democratic governor Tony Evers presented a budget that would provide the Brewers with $290 million from 2023-2025 to help fund the needed repairs. Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin’s assembly, however, are not keen on allowing the budget to pass.

When Miller Park was first approved, it was paid for using the taxes of the five counties surrounding the stadium. If the state budget does not include funds for the stadium, those local governments may be asked to fund the repairs, too.

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