Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy in a letter sent to season-ticket holders yesterday confirmed that the team "would play in the league's regular-season Thursday night opener," adding that he felt NFL owners and players "would reach an agreement on a collective bargaining agreement that would save the 2011 season," according to Tom Silverstein of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Murphy in the letter "laid out the NFL's side in the ongoing labor dispute between the owners and players, and expressed optimism that the season would not be delayed." Meanwhile, the Packers also announced that they are "going ahead with plans for their annual Tailgate Tour despite the current labor situation." Tickets "go on sale Thursday for the event, which raises money for charity." While clubs are "not allowed to have contact with their players during the current lockout, the NFL has made an exception with charity events." Earlier this year, the Packers "canceled their annual Fan Fest at Lambeau Field" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/6).
PAYMENT PLAN: In DC, Mike Jones reports the Redskins are "operating as if there will be a full NFL season in 2011" and "requiring that season ticket packages be paid in full by May 1." Redskins Senior VP Tony Wyllie: "It's business as usual. But we have promised that if any games are missed, they have their choice of full refund or credit to next year." The Redskins are "among the large majority of NFL teams that haven't altered season ticket payment plans," though the Giants, Jets, Panthers and Bills are "giving fans more time to pay because of the uncertainty of the 2011 season." Wyllie said the Redskins "received a good response" from renewing ticket holders. He added that he believed that was "partially because those who renewed by Feb. 18 received their choice of tickets to a Kenny Chesney concert, the Manchester United-FC Barcelona game, the Notre Dame-Maryland game or the Army-Navy game that will be held at FedEx Field later this year" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/6).
NO FEAR: Bears coach Lovie Smith indicated that the Bears "will be one of the organizations least affected ... in the event the NFL lockout forces teams to miss a substantial amount of organized offseason workouts." Smith: "This lockout might be hurting some teams that are just getting started, but we have a veteran staff, we have a veteran team" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 4/5).
