Green & Golden Moments Bob Harlan and the Green Bay Packers

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Bob Harlan, the Green Bay Packers' chairman and chief executive officer, in 2006 enjoyed his 18th and final season at the helm of the NFL's most popular franchise. His legacy, to the heartfelt appreciation of so many passionate fans of the Green and Gold, is solidly in place. His daring vision and inspired leadership of the franchise have set a lofty standard within the world of professional sports. On the field, the Packers have enjoyed a resurgence under Harlan's guidance, posting the league's best overall record since 1993. The successful period also included 13 straight .500-or-better seasons (1992-2004), an impressive accomplishment in this era of free agency and the team's best stretch since the 1930s and '40s. Off the field, the crowning achievement of Harlan's tenure - the $295 million redevelopment of historic Lambeau Field, a sprawling, three-year project - was ushered in at the beginning of the 2003 campaign and now stands as the chief component for assuring the team's financial survival for the next three decades. Under Harlan's insightful leadership, the Packers organization also has been accorded national acclaim for its consistently high quality of operation. It was selected by SportsBusiness Journal in 2003 as the best-run franchise in all of professional sports and, in a 2003 ESPN The Magazine fan survey, was ranked as the best franchise among the 121 teams in the four major sports; the club remained high in subsequent rankings. Harris Interactive also named the Packers 'America's Football Team' in late 2002, ending the Dallas Cowboys' nine-year hold of the top spot. After tying the Cowboys in 2003, the Packers finished in sole possession of the top spot in 2004 and '05, and their broad appeal was further underscored when their merchandise placed among the NFL's top five in sales for the ninth consecutive season.