There are plenty of Green Bay Packers fans in Canada and it is always intriguing to hear how those fans ended up following the team in green and gold. For some, the team just stood out, whether that was because of the way they played or the colors they wore. For others, family connections caused them to cheer for the team from Wisconsin.
Heritage
The Packers have a rich history stretching back a century and for new fans looking for a team to follow, heritage can play a big part. As does a record-breaking 13 league championships including four Super Bowls, the last a win over the Steelers in 2011.
Community ownership
Another reason that some non-USA fans may be attracted to the Packers is because of their fan ownership model. They remain the only community-owned franchise in major American sport with more than 350,000 stockholders registered. No individual can own more than 200,000 shares (around 4% of the total) and the organization is run on a non-profit structure. This counter-balance to the millionaire owners and rampant capitalism that is now commonplace in the four major sports in the USA is a big draw for fans around the world.
Favorite players
Other fans picked the Packers due to certain players. For example, Brett Favre was a huge favorite with neutrals and was probably responsible for many fans in Canada for cheering on the Pack. Few players seemed to have as much fun on the field as the Mississippi-born quarterback.
Kindred spirits
Fans of the Edmonton Eskimos could be forgiven for cheering on the Packers as both teams take to the field in green and gold and both are community-owned. The Packers switched to a green-and-gold kit in 1950, just a year after the Eskimos were officially founded in 1949.
Betting on the Packers
Packers fans in Canada can wager on their team online, and sites such as https://www.sportsbettingcanada.org/ can point them in the direction of the best sites for Canadian players. So whether fans want to bet on individual games or for the Packers to claim another Super Bowl, there are plenty of betting options out there. As things stand, the Packers are fourth favorites to lift the ultimate prize and second in the list to win the NFC.
As you can see, there are many reasons for fans in Canada to support the Green Bay Packers and plenty of ways to back them in the betting markets. The team is located just 280 miles from the Canadian border and provide a high-caliber alternative to other well-known names in the area such as the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions. Few teams can boast the history and heritage of the Packers and players such as Brett Favre, LeRoy Butler and Reggie White have also helped to bring new fans on board. Of course, it was Butler who brought us the now-famous Lambeau Leap.
The Packer’s family spreads all across the USA and beyond, so it is no surprise that many Canadian NFL fans what to be part of that community.