MILWAUKEE – In a significant development for the Milwaukee Brewers, the team today announced that Ralph and Shelly Stayer, owners of Johnsonville, LLC – America’s leading brand of sausage – have acquired a minority stake in the MLB franchise. This move not only strengthens the ties between two prominent Wisconsin entities but also brings lifelong baseball fans and seasoned business leaders into the Brewers’ fold.
Mark Attanasio, Brewers Chairman and Principal Owner, expressed his enthusiasm about the Stayers joining the ownership team. He highlighted the deep-rooted connection between the Stayers and the Brewers, emphasizing how Ralph and Shelly have been integral to the Brewers’ community through various roles: as season ticket holders, team sponsors, and contributors to community initiatives.
Shelly Stayer, Owner and Board Chair of Johnsonville, shared her lifelong passion for baseball, recalling her childhood in Eden, Wisconsin, where she played baseball with sisters of Brewers legend Jim Gantner. For her, this new role in the Brewers’ organization is a continuation of a lifelong love for the sport.
Ralph Stayer, now 80 and born in Milwaukee, shared a poignant narrative of his family’s journey. During the Great Depression, Ralph’s father, working at Plankinton Packing, harbored dreams of owning a business. This dream led to purchasing a small butcher shop in Johnsonville, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for what would become a global enterprise under Ralph and Shelly’s leadership.
Ralph expressed his excitement and honor in becoming part of the ownership team of his hometown baseball team, calling it a fulfillment of his “ultimate American dream.”
Shelly, who spearheads Johnsonville’s operations, led the negotiations with Attanasio. She described the process as the most exciting and friendly transaction she has ever been part of, underscoring the mutual respect and shared values between the parties involved.
The Brewers organization, proud of its Wisconsin heritage and its close relationship with one of the best-known tailgate foods, warmly welcomed Ralph and Shelly Stayer into the Brewers ownership family. This partnership promises to enhance the synergy between the beloved baseball team and a brand that has become synonymous with American sports culture.
