MILWAUKEE — After months of deliberations and negotiations, the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball (MLB) finally have funding to stay in the state through 2050.

Gov. Tony Evers signed the bipartisan package of bills at American Family Field on Tuesday. 

“It’s a great day to be a Wisconsinite and a great day to be a Brewers fan as we finally reach the culmination of months of bipartisan work, collaboration, and negotiation on a plan to keep the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin and ensure future generations will grow up rooting for the home team just as so many of us have,” said Evers in a press release. “I’ve always believed we’d find a way to get this done, and today is yet another great example of what we can accomplish when we work together, find common ground, and put politics aside to do what’s best for Wisconsin."

The deal that will help the team make necessary repairs to the stadium has been in the works since September.

Both the Senate and the Assembly passed the package just before Thanksgiving, on Nov. 14. After its passing, Evers had signaled his support for the package.

The Senate approved the legislation on a 19-14 vote, with the Assembly following suit, passing the proposal 72-26.

The bill provides $500.8 million in public funding for stadium improvements over the next 27 years. That includes $365.8 million in state funds and $67.5 million in local contributions. It also includes enacting a ticket surcharge on nonbaseball events at the stadium. The surcharge is expected to bring in $20.7 million. 

In an October poll, at least two-thirds (66%) of likely Wisconsin voters agreed on a bipartisan solution for Brewers ballpark funding.

The ballpark has brought in $2.5 billion for the state since it first opened in 2001, according to the Evers administration. It supported 3,000 jobs in 2022.

The Brewers' lease at American Family Field had originally been set to expire in 2030, which is why Evers had created an initial proposal as part of his 2023-25 biennial budget.