In Green Bay, Jonathan Anderson noted tens of thousands of fans attended the Packers' Family Night Saturday and were "treated to an 11-on-11 team practice with a fireworks show at the end, along with opportunities to tailgate and explore the Titletown District." Tickets were just $10, and the Packers said that all 78,000 tickets "sold out, the 12th time that's happened in the event's 18 years" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 8/5).
PATRIOTS FATIGUE? ESPN.com's Mike Reiss wrote while still impressive, the crowds at Patriots training camp "haven't seemed to be as large" as in recent years. Theories on "why that might be" include unpredictable weather, late scheduling, no joint practices and media fatigue. Meanwhile, many Patriots season-ticket holders received their tickets this past week, which "included a letter" from Owner Robert Kraft and President Jonathan Kraft "reflecting on a quarter century of their ownership tenure and thanking them for their support" (ESPN.com, 8/5).
FAN FEST FEE: In Charlotte, Person & Rodrigue noted the Panthers' Fan Fest on Friday had a "decent turnout ... but not as big as previous Fan Fest crowds." This could have been "due to the heavy downpours in some areas around Charlotte -- or the $5 admission fee." Fans "hoping to see a new Panthers logo unveiled at midfield" at the team's Fan Fest were instead "greeted by ... nothing." New Panthers Owner David Tepper was "on the sideline" during the practice, but he "did not address fans or media" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/4).
BIG LITTLE CITY: In Las Vegas, Michael Gehlken reported Reno "looks to be the in-house favorite" to eventually host Raiders training camp. The Raiders plan to hold training camp in Napa, Calif. next year, but the team continued to "explore other opportunities" for '20 and beyond. Raiders President Marc Badain said that a group of Reno officials recently "visited the Raiders' camp headquarters at the Napa Valley Marriott." The officials "grew increasingly familiar with the structure and breadth" of the Raiders operations. Not only does the team "practice on fields adjacent to the hotel, but other uses include meetings, a weight room and more than 100 alumni who are able to be entertained one weekend a year" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/5).
