Orthwein enriches Patriots. (marketing and promotion of New England Patriots by James Busch Orthwein)

Buyers line up, football season ticket sales soar

Don't underestimate the marketing and promotional savvy of James Busch Orthwein.

In one week, Orthwein and his St. Louis associates have turned thousands of Boston-area residents from skeptics to believers in the New England Patriots football team. And, at the same time, greatly increased the value of the team.

Orthwein, a St. Louis businessman and owner of the Patriots, made mammoth strides in rescuing what has become the laughingstock of the National Football League by announcing Jan. 21 that Bill Parcells would be the Patriots' new head coach.

In the five days since the announcement, season ticket sales have jumped by more than 3,580 -- 979 of those in a single day. At an average ticket price of $28 for 10 home games, this adds at least $1 million in additional revenue for the team next year.

Hiring Parcells also made the franchise more attractive to potential buyers, who reportedly include former St. Louis NFL Partnership member Fran Murray, sources …