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Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia brought in some major star power with the addition of Jeff Favre, who is serving as the property’s director of table games.
Favre has a deep background in the gambling industry. But he also has an equally extensive background in sports.
He grew up with a father who coached football and baseball, and his brother is Green Bay Packers legend and NFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Jeff is taking all of the lessons he’s learned in gaming and sports and instilling them into his Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia team.
From Philadelphia to … Philadelphia
Favre has more than 20 years of experience in the gambling industry. He even spent some time in another Philadelphia before his Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia gig. It was at Pear River Resort in Philadelphia, Mississippi.
“You’re talking about the sixth largest city in the country,” Favre told PlayPennsylvania in a virtual interview. “Philadelphia (MS) might be as big as the smallest neighborhood in Philly … maybe.”
Favre has worked for numerous companies, including the Cordish Companies, which owns Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and several properties across the country. Favre helped the company open a property in New Hampshire before transitioning to Philadelphia last fall.
Location, location, location
Out of all the casino resorts Favre has worked at, he said Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia has the most unique setup for a casino. It’s within walking distance to the arenas and stadiums of all four professional sports teams in the city.
One of his first experiences on the job came during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Black Friday game against the Chicago Bears.
Favre realized how close the casino is to the action after the military flyover.
“It scared the hell out of me. I was walking around not paying attention, looking at everything else and here comes the jets, which was great. It was an electric atmosphere. I’m glad we anchor amongst all of it.”
Favre’s management style
Favre played linebacker himself at Southern Miss. He also had a front row seat to his older brother’s magnificent career.
He almost went into coaching himself, majoring in coaching and sports administration his first year in college. He took his father’s advice, however, and switched to finance and then accounting.
Leadership has always been part of his character, and his sports experiences have helped to shape his management style. Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia may not be a sports team, but it’s still a team, Favre said.
“It’s just like with sports, when a team is playing well, they’re starting to jell. Their chemistry is in sync, it’s on point.
“It’s the same thing here. We operate as a team, we have leaders, we have teammates that depend on one another to be able to do their job and influence their attitude.”
Favre deeply believes that one person can make a difference, even on a team as large as the one at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, which employs roughly 2,000 people.
Market share is Live! Philadelphia’s Super Bowl title
Jeff knows what it takes to be a Super Bowl champion, as he watched his brother help the Packers capture the Lombardi Trophy in 1996.
He takes that same approach with managing his table games team at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. Just like the NFL, the gaming industry has tough competition.
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is competing with Parx, Rivers Philadelphia, Harrah’s Philadelphia, and Valley Forge, all of which are in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Favre knows what it takes to come out on top.
“Really, what it comes down to, is the personnel of the team and our ability to deliver on the expectations for everyone that comes through the doors.
“At the end of the day, it really comes down to the marketing offers they receive and the type of treatment they receive when they get here, that personal touch. I have to believe there are places people like to go because they know who you are.”
Favre emphasizes customer service to his team. His overriding rule is to never let a customer leave unhappy, and he empowers his employees to make sure that rule is followed.
To Favre, a football team’s goal is the same as his team’s goal.
“They may be playing for the Super Bowl to win it; we’re playing for 2% more market share.
“The more I can bring this team together in harmony and in unison for the same common goal, and supporting that, we’ll make things happen. We’ll produce results. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Jeff’s Philadelphia experience
Favre’s brother played against the Eagles 13 times, including the playoffs, and went 5-8. Ironically, Brett never won a game in Philadelphia, losing in all six tries. Favre never traveled to see his brother play in Philadelphia.
“I knew better to come to a game with him in Philadelphia. There were fans and stadiums I tried to stay away from over the years. Philadelphia was one of them.”
Favre also recounted a story about what ultimately led the Packers to sign Eagles star defensive end Reggie White. During one game, White sacked Brett and separated his shoulder.
Even so, the tough-as-nails quarterback finished the game and beat the Eagles that day, Favre said.
“That was one of the motivating factors for Reggie to go to Green Bay. He said he wanted to win a championship, and he knew he needed to be on a team with a quarterback that’s going to lead them there.
“The fact that he hurt Brett, and Brett stayed in the game and beat him … he liked that.”
