Five Brewers Executives Gave Maximum Donations to Robin Vos
Donations made just two weeks after $366 million funding for team passed.
American Family Field. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
The Wisconsin State Legislature is sending nearly $366 million of public funds to renovate and update American Family Field, where the Milwaukee Brewers play.
At least five top executives from the ballclub sent Vos the maximum donation allowable by law — $1,000 — in November after sealing the deal.
According to campaign finance records filed with the state, Milwaukee Brewers President Rick Schlesinger and four other top executives each made the top donation to Vos on or around November 28, two weeks after the stadium funding bill passed both Republican-controlled houses of the Legislature.
Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, signed the bill into law a week later in December.
The other four executives who made the top donation are:
- Marti Wronski, COO
- Daniel Fumai, CFO
- Tyler Barnes, senior vice president of communications and affiliate operations
- Steve Ethier, senior vice president of stadium operations
The executives did not donate to any other Wisconsin politicians in 2023, nor have they ever given to any candidate or politician in the state, according to campaign finance records.
Neither the ball club nor Vos responded to messages seeking comment.
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign was the first to break the story.
The Brewers are owned by Mark Attanasio, whose net worth is estimated to be around $700 million.
Vos might need every dollar he can get. He is facing a possible recall election, though that is a longshot, as supporters must collect thousands of signatures in 60 days. But Vos could also face another primary challenge this year. He narrowly defeated a primary challenger in 2022.
Vos is the longest-serving Assembly speaker in state history, holding the position since 2013.
In exchange for the public funding, the Brewers agreed to extend their lease and stay in Milwaukee through the 2050 season.
Milwaukee is the smallest market of the 30 Major League Baseball clubs, but regularly punches well above its weight in attendance, usually finishing in the middle of the league.
With public funding for stadium secured, five Brewers executives sent maximum donations to top Republican legislator was originally published by The Badger Project.
Something smells at American Family Field, and it’s not the sauerkraut.
I guess this should come as no surprise. The Brewers wanted the taxpayers to foot most of the bill for staying in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future, and how do you do that? Donate to one of the slimiest Republicans in the state, who just happens to be the state Assembly Speaker of a group of 64, some of whom have there positions courtesy of gerrymandered district maps.
Remember when Republicans were proponents of smaller government and lower taxes? They prove almost every day what a bunch of hypocrites they really are.
well, isn’t that special????
I listen to Bob and his colleagues and watch on TV but I will never willingly give anyone at this cabal my money to see a game. They wired my local tax increase before the first committee meeting was held.
Vos heard them cry: “Play ball!” and (cha-ching) he certainly did.
Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for these massive sports stadiums. Robin Voss needs to go. We are still on the hook for what happened with Fox Conn.