OPINION: Star Signings are Changing Wisconsin Sports Narrative

In professional sports, a player rarely gets an opportunity to choose where they are drafted or traded. Aaron Rodgers, Christian Yelich and Giannis Antetokounmpo were all brought into their respective Wisconsin organizations when around half of the teams in those leagues overlooked them. Two-time MVP Antetokounmpo went 15th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks, Rodgers went 24th overall to the Green Bay Packers and Yelich went 23rd overall to the Miami Marlins before being traded eight years later to the Milwaukee Brewers for prospects.
None of these three could likely point to Green Bay or Milwaukee on a map when they were drafted. They each likely had agents and friends bending their ear about the financial, social and career benefits of playing in New York, California or another large sports market. While fans would have likely been disheartened to see any of them leave at their first chance, deep down we would have understood. Sports is a business, and one frequently devoid of loyalty from the player or organization’s side.
Wisconsin, for all its rich sports history, has not been viewed as an appealing choice to many players who have the option of going elsewhere. I once listened to Charles Woodson at his induction to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame regale the crowd about how he had no interest in coming to Green Bay initially. He talked on this subject for such a length of time that one possibly inebriated audience member let out, loud enough for the room to hear, an “And?” as if to prod Woodson on what led him to come around.
He eventually did come around, but the point was well made, and has not been an uncommon one among free agents over the years. Green Bay and Milwaukee can be stepping stones for some players. Developmental years before they get to their prime, or an opportunity to show they still have something left for a high-spending competitor like in the case of C.C Sabathia’s brief stint with the Brewers.
However, Giannis, Aaron and Christian have now made the conscious choice to sign a long-term contract in the prime of their careers with the organization that first showed them what loyalty and belief in them meant. Credit should go out to not just the players for re-signing, but to the organizations willing to pay the deals. Those in charge in Green Bay and Milwaukee recognize that fans in this state will support a winner, and many of us have stuck around even when they were not winners.
Since each of these three have come into their own, that narrative is changing. Green Bay has enjoyed nearly three decades of competitive teams, the latter half of which including a Super Bowl win that is due in no small part to Rodgers. The Brewers have made the playoffs each of Yelich’s three seasons in Milwaukee, after making it only four other times in franchise history dating back to 1970. Antetokounmpo has helped lead the Bucks to the playoffs five of the last seven years, when the organization made the postseason two of the seven seasons prior.
Championships are never won by one player, but having that one player that attracts complimentary stars and role players helps build a championship roster. Wisconsin professional sports fans can rest easier for the next few seasons, knowing their MVP’s are around for the foreseeable future.