Packers 'Payoff' to Brett Favre Involved a Blog, Merchandise and Appearances

One of the major misconceptions about that rumored $20 million "payoff" the Packers made to Brett Favre was that it was simply just to keep him away from Green Bay.

Well, the did want Favre to kinda/sorta work for it.

The phrase "merchandising deal" was attached to it, but no one really new what that meant. Turns out, they wanted to turn Brett Favre from their QB to their green-and-gold goose off the field. That deal involved ha merchandise line, souvenirs and even a blog:

According to a draft of the agreement obtained by Sporting News Today and its sister publication, The Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee, the Packers' proposed 10-year deal for Favre included a line of clothing, merchandise and collectibles. The Packers Pro Shop would have become the exclusive distributor of autographed Favre memorabilia, and Favre would sign 300 items a year for the team's use.

Favre also would have been required to make 10 personal appearances each year -- including two private hunting or golfing trips -- and a blog would have been created for Favre on the team's Web site.

The Packers contend that they had been working on this deal since Favre originally retired and plan on offering to him again once Brett really does call it quits ... again ... for good.

That's not a bad gig. Get $2 million a year for ten years and just sign some stuff, authorize a blog, take a few brand new rich buddies on a fishing trip and see everyone in Wisconsin still wearing your gear.

If you choose to believe the Packers, then the timing of public knowledge of this deal just came out wrong. I actually think they were working on this deal last spring with the intent to keep what happened in the summer from happening: if they had Brett under contract in this ten-year deal, then he couldn't go anywhere.

Still, it takes some stones to already say stuff like this:

In a chat with fans on packers.com last week, Murphy said he intends to reach out to Favre "at the appropriate time" to finalize a formal relationship. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said last week that he would consider bringing Favre back to work with the team's quarterbacks in training camp after his playing days are over.

"He's a Green Bay Packer," McCarthy said. "He wants to come back here, he wants to be welcome back here."