Brewers owner offers $3.6 million in vouchers to fans after Ryan Braun suspension

Milwaukee Brewers' fans are being offered vouchers for food, merchandise and tickets. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio is offering fans a reason to come to the ballpark after their superstar Ryan Braun was suspended for the rest of the season by Major League Baseball last week.

The team announced that each fan that shows up during any of the 12 home games the Brewers have in August will receive a $10 voucher that can be used on food, beverages, tickets or merchandise. On average, 31,000 fans have shown up to Brewers games despite a 43-61 record this season. If that average holds and each fan redeems the voucher, it would cost the team more than $3.6 million.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Braun for 65 games last week for multiple unspecified "violations" of the league's drug program and labor contract. He became the first player punished as a result of MLB's investigation into Biogenesis of America, a now-closed anti-aging clinic.

With Braun being suspended without pay for the rest of the season, the Brewers saved roughly $3 million but according to chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger, the investment to the fans is to attempt to "mitigate a trying summer."

Schlesinger said the main focus of the campaign is to be transparent with the fans.

Brewers' chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger commented on the incentive:

"We were finalizing something like this to give back to our loyal fans just as news of Ryan's suspension hit," said the team's chief operating officer, Rick Schlesinger. "Mark decided he wanted to make a dramatic impact that would cost more money."