Brewers’ Sheets joins Admirals ownership

Milwaukee Admirals governor/CEO Harris Turer announced today that Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets has been added as a minority partner in Milwaukee Admirals, LLC, the ownership group of the Admirals.

Sheets, a Baton Rouge, La., native was originally drafted by Milwaukee in the first round of the 1999 Free Agent Draft and has compiled a 48-59 record with a 3.91 career earned run average in five major league seasons.

Sheets also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in the 2000 Sydney Games. In the gold medal game versus Cuba Sheets fired a complete game shutout to lead the United States to the gold.

“We are thrilled to bring Ben aboard as an owner with the team,” said Turer. “He is already an important part of the sports landscape in Milwaukee and this illustrates his commitment to the community.”

The addition of Sheets to the ownership group strengthens the connection between the Admirals and the Brewers. Mark Attanasio, principal owner of the Brewers and group managing director of the Trust Company of the West and Gord Ash, Brewers assistant GM are also members of Milwaukee Admirals, LLC. In addition, Jon Greenberg, who was named president of the Admirals, served as the Brewers’ director of media relations from 1994-2004.

Milwaukee Admirals, LLC, recently completed the purchase of the Admirals from the estate of Jane Bradley Pettit. Jane and Lloyd Pettit originally bought the team from Bill Chimo in December, 1976. In the summer of 1977, they purchased an International Hockey League franchise and the team then moved to the American Hockey League in 2001.

The Admirals on Friday also announced that the team will name the rink at the Bradley Center the Jane Bradley Pettit Rink in honor of the Admirals’ former owner.

Mrs. Pettit owned the team until her death in September of 2001. For the past four seasons the team had been operated out of her estate.

“Mrs. Pettit was such an important part of the Admirals and hockey in Milwaukee,” said Turer. “This is just a small way to recognize a woman who has had an everlasting effect on our community.”

The Admirals played at the Milwaukee Arena until 1988, when Mrs. Pettit built the Bradley Center and donated it to the city of Milwaukee. The building was named in honor of her father, Harry L. Bradley.

A tremendous philanthropist, Mrs. Pettit was dedicated to helping to improve the lives of all people, particularly the disadvantaged. From the Pettit National Ice Center to the Lynde and Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School, to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Mrs. Pettit’s dedication to this community can be seen in areas both large and small throughout Milwaukee and Wisconsin.