Packers President Murphy Continues To Guide Team, Looks To CBA

Packers Treasurer Says Murphy Has Worked Out Better Than Anticipated

Packers President & CEO MARK MURPHY "has been the leader of the Packers for nearly two years," but he "remains a complete unknown to almost everyone outside the locker room of Lambeau Field," according to a front-page piece by Nickel & Walker of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Packers Treasurer LARRY WEYERS: "Mark has worked out even better than we anticipated." Murphy played for the Redskins from '77-84, and players "like the fact Murphy is as passionate for the game as they are." Packers GM TED THOMPSON "believes he's the ideal boss," and members of the Exec Committee "think they chose the right man to lead the Packers." When Murphy, a former AD at Colgate and Northwestern, was hired in '07, "many wondered" how he would "handle running a professional sports franchise." Packers Exec Committee VP PETER PLATTEN said that Murphy has "developed strong relationships with the Executive Committee and key members of the organization." Murphy also has "relied on friendships" with Panthers Owner JERRY RICHARDSON, Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, Giants co-Owner JOHN MARA and former NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE to "navigate his way through his first two years of presidency." In addition, Murphy talks to former Packers Chair & CEO BOB HARLAN "about issues of importance to the Packers and the NFL."

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS: Murphy "soon will play a crucial role as an advocate for the team and the NFL in the upcoming negotiations for a new" CBA. Murphy: "The CBA is the biggest issue the league is facing -- and the Packers. I feel fortunate that I am involved in that process as I am." Tagliabue, "who has been a mentor to Murphy dating to Murphy's days as a former players union lawyer, agrees Murphy is well-suited to help current Commissioner ROGER GOODELL" with the CBA. Tagliabue: "Mark has lots of experience and attributes that will serve him well on the negotiating team, including his understanding of the competing and conflicting points of view on the two sides of the table, and his ability to reach across the divide and talk with people who also understand both perspectives that can eventually lead to sensible compromises and consensus." Nickel & Walker noted Goodell "appointed Murphy to the 10-member Management Council Executive Committee, the bargaining team that represents the owners in the league's negotiations for a new" CBA. Murphy: "I can see things from both sides. I think it's been helpful in some of the sessions. I can certainly relate to what the players' concerns are. But I also have seen it from an owner's perspective as well, or a management perspective" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/3).