NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)October 25, 2026Hillsborough County
Mayors of St. Petersburg and Milwaukee announce World Series charity wager
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson have established a friendly charitable wager tied to the World Series matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers. The mayor whose city raises less money for charity will publicly wear the opposing team's jersey and fulfill additional city-specific forfeits. Both cities are encouraging residents to donate to designated local organizations during the championship series.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)Why It Matters
Residents are encouraged to contribute charitable donations to local organizations supporting food assistance and homeless shelters, while the losing mayor faces public forfeits including wearing a rival team's jersey.
Key Facts
- The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in game one of the World Series.
- St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced a charity fundraising challenge tied to the World Series outcome.
- The mayor whose city raises less money for community organizations must wear the opposing team's jersey and complete public forfeits.
- St. Petersburg's fundraising beneficiary is the St. Pete Free Clinic, which provides food assistance and healthcare.
- Milwaukee's fundraising beneficiary is United Way, which supports seven local homeless shelters.
- Residents in St. Petersburg can make monetary contributions or drop off needed items at 25 participating city facilities.
- The losing mayor in Milwaukee would wear a Rays jersey, walk along the Milwaukee RiverWalk, and light up a Milwaukee bridge in Rays colors.
- If Milwaukee loses, Mayor Welch will ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle around St. Pete wearing a Brewers jersey.
- The mayors also pledged to exchange gifts showcasing local businesses, artists, and cultural organizations from their respective cities.
- Neither the Tampa Bay Rays nor the Milwaukee Brewers franchise has ever won a World Series championship.
Who's Mentioned
locationPinellas County“County in Florida”PersonKen Welch“Mayor of St. Petersburg”locationMilwaukee RiverWalk“Location in Milwaukee for potential mayoral forfeit”OrganizationSt. Pete Youth Farm“St. Petersburg organization contributing to gift exchange”OrganizationSt. Louis Cardinals“Professional baseball team”OrganizationLos Angeles Dodgers“Professional baseball team”OrganizationPhiladelphia Phillies“Professional baseball team”OrganizationMilwaukee Brewers“Professional baseball team”OrganizationSt. Pete Free Clinic“Beneficiary organization in St. Petersburg providing food assistance and healthc”locationMilwaukee“City in Wisconsin”PersonCavalier Johnson“Mayor of Milwaukee”OrganizationDalí Museum“St. Petersburg cultural organization contributing to gift exchange”OrganizationGreen Bench Brewing Company“St. Petersburg business contributing to gift exchange”OrganizationUnited States Conference of Mayors“Association of mayors connecting both municipal leaders”OrganizationTropicana Field“Baseball stadium in St. Petersburg”OrganizationUnited Way“Supporting seven local homeless shelters in Milwaukee”locationSt. Petersburg“City in Florida”OrganizationTampa Bay Rays“Professional baseball team”OrganizationKahwa Coffee“St. Petersburg business contributing to gift exchange”