Lack of baseball fans has ripple effect on economy

NO FANS IN THE STANDS SO NO NEED FOR VENDORS TO SERVE THEM. >> IT IS GOING TO COST ME OVER $10,000 IN LOST INCOME. NICK: BEER MAN RYAN STRAND IS SPENDING HIS FIRST MILWAUKEE SUMMER WITHOUT SELLING COLD ONES AT BREWERS GAMES IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS. >> IT WILL BREAK MY HEART TO WATCH BASEBALL WITHOUT HAVING — TO BE FRANK WITH YOU AND TO SEE THE EMPTY SEATS. NICK: THE BREWERS PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS CALLS MILLER PARK AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE REGION. >> THE ENGINE HAS SOMEWHAT BEEN PUT ON HOLD BY THE PANDEMIC. NICK: THE MILWAUKEE ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE SAYS THE LACK OF GAMES IMPACTS MORE THAN 1800 FULLTIME JOBS BEYOND THE BALLPARK TOO. >> IT IS IMPACTING BARS, RESTAURANTS, HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES, TAXIS, ALL SORTS OF TRANSPORTATION. THOSE ARE ALL IMPACTED BY THE LOSS OF FANS HERE FOR 80 PLUS DATES. NICK: AND THE BREWERS CALL THEIR CONCESSION WORKERS PART OF THE FAMILY. >> BRINGING ENTERTAINMENT TO THE REGION, BRINGING LIVELIHOODS AND JOBS. WE DON’T FORGET THAT. >> MAYBE SOMETHING CAN HAPPEN NEXT YEAR FOR OPENING DAY. WILL NICK: AT THIS POINT YOU ARE THINKING THIS YEAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. >> I HAVE TO WRITE THAT OFF, YES. PATRICK: NICK, THE BREWERS HAVE SAID THEY’RE HOPING SOME FANS CAN STILL BE IN THE STANDS LATER THIS SEASON. THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, CAN PEOPLE GO OUT THERE TO TAILGATE AND WATCH THE GAMES ON TV? NICK: THE BREWERS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN A GETTING ASKED THAT QUESTION A LOT. PEOPLE WANT TO TAILGATE EVEN THOUGH THEY CAN’T GET INSIDE OR WATCH THE TV, BUT THE BREWERS SAY THAT WOULD BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE CITY O

Lack of in-person baseball fans has ripple effect on Milwaukee economy

The Milwaukee Association of Commerce said the lack of games impacts more than 1,800 full-time jobs.


The coronavirus pandemic is having an economic impact at Miller Park.Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinHundreds of seasonal workers are without jobs as baseball games begin.”It’s gonna cost me over $10,000 in lost income,” beer vendor Ryan Strnad said.It’s the first season in more than 30 years that he’s unable to sell to fans.”It will break my heart to watch baseball, without having a chance to vend in it to be very frank with you, and to see those empty seats,” he said.The Brewers President of Business Operations called Miller Park an economic engine for the region.”That engine has somewhat been put on hold by the pandemic,” Rick Schlesinger said.The Milwaukee Association of Commerce said the lack of games impacts more than 1,800 full-time jobs. “It’s impacting bars, restaurants, hospitality industries, taxis, all sorts of transportation. Those jobs are all impacted by the loss of fans here for 80-plus dates,” Tim Sheehy said.The Brewers said they consider their concession workers part of the family.”It’s not just bringing entertainment to the region. It’s bringing livelihoods and jobs and we don’t forget that,” Schlesinger said.”I’m crossing my fingers, maybe something can happen next year for Opening Day,” Strnad said.Under current city orders, tailgating is also not allowed.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

The coronavirus pandemic is having an economic impact at Miller Park.

Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin

Hundreds of seasonal workers are without jobs as baseball games begin.

“It’s gonna cost me over $10,000 in lost income,” beer vendor Ryan Strnad said.

It’s the first season in more than 30 years that he’s unable to sell to fans.

“It will break my heart to watch baseball, without having a chance to vend in it to be very frank with you, and to see those empty seats,” he said.

The Brewers President of Business Operations called Miller Park an economic engine for the region.

“That engine has somewhat been put on hold by the pandemic,” Rick Schlesinger said.

The Milwaukee Association of Commerce said the lack of games impacts more than 1,800 full-time jobs.

“It’s impacting bars, restaurants, hospitality industries, taxis, all sorts of transportation. Those jobs are all impacted by the loss of fans here for 80-plus dates,” Tim Sheehy said.

The Brewers said they consider their concession workers part of the family.

“It’s not just bringing entertainment to the region. It’s bringing livelihoods and jobs and we don’t forget that,” Schlesinger said.

“I’m crossing my fingers, maybe something can happen next year for Opening Day,” Strnad said.

Under current city orders, tailgating is also not allowed.

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