Minny Happy Returns

Favre Creating Demand For Tickets, Jerseys

The Vikings have hit paydirt and have taken the buzz around the NFL away from the Eagles after signing Brett Favre. The acquisition of the future HOFer has resulted in a quick burst at the box-office, with more than 3,000 season tickets sold in the last 24 hours. For a franchise that has often been up against a local blackout deadline, Favre’s star power is a much-needed jolt to its bottom line. Jersey sales are also expected to be strong, as NFLShop had an e-mail blast yesterday taking orders. While Favre’s negative ratings have increased among the public over the past year with the constant will-he-won't-he, Favre is still a top draw. The latest ESPN Sports Poll had him ranked as the NFL’s most popular athlete and his return has added more fuel to an already heavily-hyped NFL season. As for ESPN -- whose love of all things Favre is well-known and, in many circles, overly tiresome -- this is their perfect storm, especially with a sure-fire ratings spectacular coming with the October 5 Packers-Vikings “MNF” game.

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