WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The community response to the New Orleans Saints’ three-week visit to The Greenbrier for training camp can be described best in one word that Greenbrier owner Jim Justice, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Saints head coach Sean Payton all used Thursday when discussing the team’s first 24-plus hours in the Mountain State.
“Overwhelming,” they all agreed.
So much so, in fact, that The Greenbrier is close to cutting off ticket sales for Saturday’s picnic — which will give community members a chance to dine and interact with their favorite Saints players and coaches.
As of 3 p.m. Thursday, The Greenbrier had sold more than 4,500 $10 tickets to the event, which will also give fans a chance to tour the new AdvoCare Sports Performance Center and get autographs and photographs. In order to make sure fans are able to get the access that the event intends to provide, sales will be cut off at 5,000 tickets, meaning fewer than 500 remain.
“We knew we might have to cut it off at some point,” said Justice. “We just want to make sure that it’s a special event and we don’t get overwhelmed. So if people want to come, they better get online and get their tickets now.”
Tickets are available at www.greenbrier.com/picnic. They include food, live entertainment, meet and greets and the facilities tour…