Bears, Vikings games increase in appeal

Posted April 27, 2006

[size=18px]Bears, Vikings games increase in appeal [/size]

By Maureen Wallenfang
Post-Crescent staff writer

The Web site for www.packerfantours.com started getting hits at 11 p.m. Tuesday, minutes after fans learned that Brett Favre was returning to the Green Bay Packers this season.

Once the Packer Fan Tours phone lines opened Wednesday morning, all hell broke loose.

"We sold hundreds and hundreds of packages in the first several hours," said Dennis Garrity, owner of the official tour company for the Packers, reached at his Green Bay office early Wednesday afternoon. "It could hit 1,000 by the end of the day."

What a difference a day made.

Sales had been lagging up until the star quarterback made his decision public. Garrity called the fan reaction "an explosion of interest."

Every game was selling, he said, but the two hottest home tickets were the opener Sept. 10 against the Chicago Bears and season finale Dec. 21 against the Minnesota Vikings.

"Those two are leading the pack," he said. "The most popular is the last game against the Vikings."

At Ticket King, also in Green Bay, broker Jason Krouth said media interest already was off the charts Wednesday morning. Fans now are starting to follow suit and ramp up buying, he said.

"There's a lot of interest now. A lot of people were waiting in the wings to see what would happen before they pulled the trigger. You don't want to shoot yourself in the foot."

At this point, even the nosebleed seats are going to cost you.

"It's $135 to $195 to get in the door," Krouth said. But he added that even with Favre as the star attraction, any price increases depend on how well the team plays.

Packer Fan Tours, meanwhile, offered a variety of packages for home games that range from a ticket plus pre-game tailgating party ($139 for the Lions game) to an elaborate weekend package that includes a game ticket, two nights of lodging and weekend activities, including an exclusive cocktail party where fans rub elbows with current players ($589, also for the Lions.)

Those prices, set before Favre confirmed his return, likely will rise because of supply and demand, Garrity said.

"We have a certain body of products committed to us, but the market will fluctuate. We've got to pay what the market will bear. Prices are going to start rising," he predicted. "We're relying on season ticket holders for tickets, and a lot are going to say 'hmmmmm.' Or 'we want more money for these tickets.' We're going to try to keep prices modest as long as we can."

Garrity said they're still finalizing details for road games, and those packages will be available in the coming days.

"Clearly, there's going to be a lot of interest seeing Brett Favre at Lambeau or on the road," Garrity said. "Brett Favre transcends the Packers. He's up there with Michael Jordan. If this is your final chance to see this gentleman play, any true sports fan is going to do it, Packers fan or not."

Maureen Wallenfang can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 287, or by e-mail at [email protected]

Bears, Vikings games increase in appeal

I will say this, when I first joined the site we were fighting off Packer trolls left and right. I mean it seemed like you would go through two a day.

Last season and so far this offseason it has probably been a record quiet. You'd have to ask someone who has been here from the begining, but I would guess it to be true.

The Bears however have increased the trolling. With wins comes spine I suppose.

Funny thing is when a division opponent faces off, there is no telling what will happen regardless of records.

Can't wait til we get some Lions trolls!