Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance
Sharing From the Packers Shareholders Meeting
A Few Things I Noticed
When asked if Green Bay could ever host a Super Bowl since cold weather New York has the 2014 "Big Game," Commissioner Roger Goodell said it's not as much about weather, as infrastructure. And 25,000 hotel rooms need to be within 60 miles of the stadium. Translation: That's a polite way of saying no.
When I asked him about his confidence that there will not be a lockout, the Commish said he doesn't want to give day-to-day updates. But since he keeps emphasizing that he wants performance rewarded on the field, and that proven veterans should earn more than unproven rookies...that has to be a big bargaining chip when the process moves along.
When I asked Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy about the team's profits shrinking from $34 million in 2007 to $10 million in 2010, he simply said it's not positive, and the system needs to change. I.E., player salaries are getting out of control.
There's no timeline, but Packers VP of Administration Jason Weid showed plans to expand Lambeau Field to around 80,000 and build a "Titletown" entertainment area south of the stadium. I know that won't go over well with the neighborhood, but that's what the team needs to survive in the future. It's not pleasant to say it, but some of the people that live near Lambeau...ask not what the Pack can do for you, but what you can do for the Pack.
The 18-game regular season appears to be a near lock in the 2012 season.
And finally, GM Ted Thompson cracked me up when he said his goal is to not be the youngest team in the league for the 5th straight year, so everyone quits asking him about it.
Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com
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