GREEN BAY - Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy knows what to expect at Thursday's shareholders meeting: plenty of questions about Brett Favre.

"Obviously, there's an issue that's foremost in most people's minds, so that's something obviously we'll deal with in the meeting," Murphy said Wednesday. "Our fans have tremendous passion and interest in our organization, and I'm sure we'll see that."

The 38-year-old Favre retired last March, but now wants to play again.

The team, under general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy, has denied the three-time NFL MVP's request to be released and have gone ahead with plans to have Aaron Rodgers take over at quarterback.

Murphy repeated his support for Thompson and McCarthy and the way they've handled the matter.

"We want to be fair to Brett, but ultimately we're going to do what's in the best interest of the Packers," Murphy said. "I think the other thing I'm going to emphasize at the meeting is the gravity of the situation and the impact that this could have on the organization for years to come."

Thousands of the shareholders, most of whom hold largely symbolic shares, are expected at Lambeau Field on Thursday for the annual meeting of the NFL's only publicly owned team. Murphy is to present a summary of the annual report. Thompson is to give an overview of the team.

Murphy returned to his office this week after attending the funeral of his father, Hugh, who died last week following a battle with brain cancer.

Murphy said the team has good things to report to shareholders after falling one game short of reaching the Super Bowl in the last postseason.

"I think as an organization we want shareholders to come out feeling good about the organization — that we're well managed and efficient, and hopefully that they're optimistic about the future. I think they should be.

"We're coming off a strong year on the field, and financially we've had a solid year."

Murphy, in just his seventh month at the helm, said interest in the Packers has exceeded his expectations.

"I knew that, obviously, that the Packers were a huge story, but the level of it has surprised me," he said. "And obviously, having played in the NFL and the Redskins fans are pretty passionate about the Redskins. But this is really on another level, I would say."

Packers players are due to report Sunday and start training camp Monday.