Packer Fan Tours In the News
Even at 1-5, fans stick up for Packers
Green Bay Press GazetteOptimism runs high despite losing record
A 1-5 start and a rash of injuries would be enough for most NFL fans to jump off their team’s bandwagon. But this is Green Bay, and these are the Packers.
Granted fans are angry with the general manager and the coach and anyone they deem responsible for the latest defeat, but Packers fans remember the ’70s and ’80s and are weathering the team’s worst start since 1991.
While interest has waned a little in some areas, the Green Bay Press-Gazette found that Packers fans, and those relying on Packers fans, remain optimistic.
Fans’ Feelings
One losing season can’t dim the Packers’ long-standing national appeal, said Mark Mandel, vice president of media relations for ABC Sports. The network — which will air “Monday Night Football” games between the Packers and Vikings on Nov. 21 and Baltimore on Dec. 19 — is not worried about ratings, Mandel said.
“We have found so many different times that Brett Favre and the Packers always seem to rise to the level of anticipation on ‘Monday Night Football,’” Mandel said Tuesday. “He has a flair for the dramatic. The team still has a national appeal, whether they’re playing well or not.”
There was no way to predict the Packers’ dismal start in April, when ABC receives its schedule after some discussion with the NFL.
“You generally want teams that have winning records, but story lines are really what people are interested in. You want a good story line,” Mandel said.
Half Full or Empty?
The day after a last-second loss to Minnesota tumbled the Packers into sole possession of last place in the NFC North, Packer Fan Tours sold 203 ticket packages — fewer than a typical day’s sales, but not bad for a Monday after a loss. While interest in the Green and Gold has dissipated somewhat — and some ticket packages are selling for less — customers still are lining up to support the home team, said Dennis Garrity, president of Packer Fan Tours.
“It’s not all gloom and doom in our offices. Packer fans are very resilient. I’m amazed, frankly. …You see a 1-5 record and you say, ‘I’m surprised my phone even rings.’”
Although he can’t be sure why tickets are still in demand, Garrity said rumors that this season could be Brett Favre’s last might have something to do with it. Ticket-sale hits also are mitigated because fans often purchase ticket packages before the season starts.
Still, the team’s 1-5 start hasn’t gone unnoticed. One package for the Christmas Day contest versus Chicago has dropped from $149 to $109, Garrity said.
“Sales are down, no doubt about it,” he said. “(But) it’s interesting that we are still seeing, even after the fifth loss, a fair amount of interest in some of those later games.”