Chairman and Principal Owner
Mark Attanasio enters his 20th season as chairman and principal owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Over the course of Attanasio’s leadership, the Brewers have been one of the National League’s most competitive teams, holding the fourth-highest winning percentage in the NL since the 2005 season (1535-1442, .516). The Brewers also have the ninth-most wins in all of Major League Baseball since Attanasio became principal owner. Over the past seven seasons, the Brewers have reached the postseason five times, missing out in 2017 and 2022 by just a single game. The team holds the third-highest winning percentage in the National League since 2017 (573-460, .555), trailing only the Dodgers and Braves. Milwaukee is one of just three teams to win at least 86 games in each of the past six full seasons (not including 2020), joining the Astros and Dodgers.
Over the past 20 years, Attanasio has been committed to the Brewers fan experience, and through significant investments, American Family Field has been and continues to be consistently rated as one of the best venues in all of sports. His dedication to the ballpark led to a monumental bi-partisan legislative agreement in 2023 to keep the Brewers in Milwaukee through at least 2050, which included a $150 million commitment from the Club.
Further, Attanasio has prioritized efforts to have a broad, positive impact on the Milwaukee area community and throughout Wisconsin. Through the establishment of Brewers Community Foundation (BCF), the Club’s charitable arm, and through community relations efforts year-round, the Brewers are an integral part of the fabric of the community. As a result of Attanasio’s steadfast dedication to invest in these efforts, BCF has generated more than $55 million over the past decade to support local non-profits in the areas of health, education, recreation and basic needs. Approximately 200 non-profit organizations receive funding annually through the Foundation’s grant process.
Attanasio remains focused on his longstanding objective to establish the organization as a champion both on and off the field, and he continues to work diligently to uphold the four cornerstone pledges he made to the Brewers and to the community when the team was purchased in 2005:
- FIELDING A PERENNIALLY COMPETITIVE TEAM
Attanasio works closely with Matt Arnold, the baseball operations staff and Pat Murphy in their efforts to build a sustainable pipeline of young talent that fans can count on for years to come, supplementing the team’s veteran players to field a perennially competitive roster.
The 2024 season will open with a blend of homegrown talent, players acquired and developed in the Club’s Minor League system, and Major Leaguers obtained in trades or as free agents. The roster includes players drafted or acquired and developed by the Brewers in Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta and Devin Williams, players obtained via trade in Christian Yelich, Willy Adames and William Contreras, and free-agent signings in Rhys Hoskins and Gary Sánchez. In addition, the Club has been prolific in developing talent through its farm system, which is ranked second overall by Baseball America and third by MLB Pipeline. Young talent to watch in 2024 includes Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Andruw Monasterio, Brice Turang, Joey Wiemer and Jackson Chourio, Baseball America’s No. 2 overall prospect who signed an eight-year contract through 2031 with club options for 2032 and 2033 this offseason. Exciting young pitchers who have benefited from Milwaukee’s ability to develop frontline players include Aaron Ashby, Elvis Peguero and Abner Uribe.
The next wave of young talent is on the cusp of the big leagues with pitchers Robert Gasser (International League) and Carlos Rodríguez (Southern League) earning Pitcher of the Year honors in their respective leagues. The highly-regarded Jacob Misiorowski is also nearing his Major League debut. Leading an exciting group of position player prospects are Tyler Black, Jeferson Quero and Brock Wilken.
In addition, this winter, the Club funded and opened a new Brewers Academy in the Dominican Republic, which will be a key hub in the organization’s player development facilities. The academy joins recent club investments such as rebuilding American Family Fields of Phoenix as well as the acquisition of the Carolina Mudcats with a proposed new state-of-the-art stadium on the horizon for that affiliate in Wilson, NC.
- DELIVERING THE BEST FAN EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE
Attanasio greatly values and appreciates the unwavering support of Brewers fans. Since 2008, the team has ranked in the top 10 in total season attendance eight times, exemplifying the power and passion of the Brewers fan base.
Attanasio’s ongoing commitment to the fan experience has included funding numerous enhancements at American Family Field over the years. The most noticeable upgrade this season will be new scoreboards and LED digital displays behind home plate and along the baselines. The centerpiece of the installation is the new eight-millimeter LED digital display overlooking center field, measuring 12,077 square feet. The main display will be among the largest scoreboards in Major League Baseball, boasting full-screen, edge-to-edge coverage, and is more than twice the size of the former display at 5,940 square feet. Fans will also enjoy increased visibility with a brand new 2,840 square-foot, eight-millimeter LED scoreboard over right field.
In addition, American Family Field will add the 3rd Street Market Hall Annex, allowing fans to enjoy local vendors with the same atmosphere as the popular downtown Milwaukee food hall location. Located on the right field Loge Level, the 3rd Street Market Hall Annex will feature Kompali Tacos, Smokin’ Jack’s BBQ, KAWA (Asian fusion) and Anytime Arepa (Venezuelan).
The Brewers Team Store in left field underwent an offseason expansion and sales floor reconfiguration to add an increased selection in all retail categories, including a customization corner, more space for improved gameday shopping and a streamlined check-out process in a newly added register room.
- REMAINING A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY
Throughout Attanasio’s tenure with the Brewers, he has remained personally dedicated to and involved with Brewers Community Foundation (BCF).
In 2023, BCF provided more than $4 million in grants and scholarships to approximately 200 local non-profits supporting healthcare, education, recreation and basic needs and 26 Wisconsin-based students. As part of Brewers Buddies Tickets, more than 74,000 game tickets were donated to 170 different organizations in 2023. Last season, the Foundation held four Drive for Charity events with fans donating pet supplies, peanut butter, socks, hats and mittens, and scarves.
Along with Brewers alumni Larry Hisle and CBS 58, BCF collected 661 turkeys, 54,000 pounds of food and more than $2,300 in cash donations for Hunger Task Force as part of the 12th annual “Drive Thru Food Drive” at Thanksgiving.
In addition to the fans’ support of the Foundation, all players, their families, team executives and front office staff contributed their time and/or financial resources in 2023.
- BEING AN ORGANIZATION WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK, WHETHER ON THE FIELD OR BEHIND THE SCENES
Attanasio has continued to deliver on his commitment to ensure the Brewers are one of the best places to work, not only in Greater Milwaukee, but in all of sports. Throughout his tenure as principal owner, the organization has grown as a desirable destination for some of Major League Baseball’s top players, front office personnel and business executives.
Under Attanasio’s leadership, the organization has created a culture focused on best practices and achieving excellence across all areas and departments. This includes providing all employees, including game-day staff, training and leadership development with an emphasis on embracing diversity, innovation and service to the community.
BEYOND THE BREWERS
Attanasio has been an accomplished investment management executive for more than 35 years. In addition to his role as chairman and principal owner of the Brewers, he is a managing partner of Crescent Capital Group, LP, a Los Angeles-based alternative asset management firm that he co-founded in 1991.
Attanasio holds positions on several not-for-profit boards, including Heal the Bay, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Harvard-Westlake School. He also has a leadership role as chairman of Major League Baseball’s Investment Committee, and he previously served on the Executive Council. Additionally, he is a member of LA2028, the bid committee that successfully secured the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Attanasio is also an investor in the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League and the Norwich City Football Club in the English Championship League.
Attanasio received his A.B. from Brown University and his J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law. He and his wife, Debbie, have two sons, Dan and Mike, and two grandchildren.