“When I think of Minnesota, I think of 3 things: Cold weather, the Vikings and the Mall of America. It’s the Vikings that keep me coming back. Not the cold weather and not the Mall.” – North Dakota Vikings Fan
The Minnesota Vikings are fortunate in that we have fans all over the country, and all over the world. We receive letters daily from fans in ND, SD, IA and WI that are concerned with the reality of losing the Minnesota Vikings. The fact of the matter is our out of state fans are a huge part of our fan base, and a huge part of our economy. During training camp, preseason, regular season and the playoffs we are inundated with fans from all over that come to Minnesota, stay in hotels, eat at our restaurants, and experience all of the arts, Mall of America and more.
Without a doubt this brings in money to Minnesota that we would not receive if the Vikings were not in Minnesota. Because of that, we feel out of state fans should have a voice in this matter too! Below is a pre-written letter that we ask you send to our Governor Tim Pawlenty. Please let him know that while you find the Mall of America, the Guthrie, and other Minnesota attractions great, it is the Minnesota Vikings that prompts your visits to our great state and with out the Vikings you would not spend your hard earned dollars here.
Simply copy the email below and click on the following link to open your email editor. Paste the letter into your email and please add your name at the bottom. It takes a few clicks, a few seconds and it doesn’t cost you a cent to make a positive impact on keeping the Vikings in Minnesota. Thank you for your support!
mailto:tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
Letter to the Governor:
Honorable Mr. Pawlenty,
I am a member of a group that is often overlooked, yet is very important to Minnesota’s economy. I am an out-of-state Vikings fan.
Every year, I come to Minnesota to catch at least one Vikings game, sometimes more. My family and friends join me as well and we make a vacation out of it.
I’m telling you this because I thought you’d like to know we spend a lot of money in Minnesota. The hotels, restaurants, flights, rental cars, shopping trips all add up. Of course, we also visit places like the Guthrie, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Mall of America. But the one thing that brings us to Minnesota is the Vikings. Without the team, I doubt we’d make the trip nearly as often.
I’m sympathetic to the economic situation that your state finds itself in, and I assure you that we are feeling some of the same pains here. I understand how you might think this isn’t a great time to be talking about a stadium.
That said, I have made it a point to educate myself on the situation, and some creative solutions are being discussed that wouldn’t burden the taxpayers of Minnesota or exasperate your deficit situation. All these ideas should get explored in their entirety so that the team can stay in Minnesota for years to come.
Remember us out-of-state fans when you’re considering a Vikings stadium solution. Do your part to keep the Vikings Minnesota, and we’ll do our part to keep money flowing into your state.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
[Your Address Here]
[City, State, Zip]
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20,000 emails sent over the weekend. I would say it went great!
During the eRally, we recieved hundreds of fan letters as well. Having read through all of them, this one really stood out to me.
Take a look:
As a member of the US Army Reserves living in St Paul and currently deployed to Baghdad I can now say that if it were not for the MN Vikings and the NFL in general I would have gone crazy these last few months. As a die hard Vikings fan during the season it helps pass the time to talk to other fans of the Vikings or even argue with the enemy about why this is our year! In any case, the Vikings season has kept spirits up throughout this deployment and kept conversations going on what little downtime we do have. I’m sure the thousands of MN National Guard troops would agree – if it weren’t for the MINNESOTA Vikings, we wouldn’t be able to get that taste of home every Sunday/Monday (or Monday/Tuesday over here!). It helps those almost 7000 miles away feel at home and provide comfort. Who would want to take that away from the thousands of MN Vikings fans in the Military currently overseas? I know I wouldnt… Let’s get that new stadium and keep the Vikes going!
Notice how all of the experts mention the Saints offense first, the Vikings defense second, the Vikings offense third, and the Saints defense NEVER?
Something like this:
“Drew Brees is a prolific quarterback who will face challenges against a strong MN pass rush. Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson bring a dual-edged attack, but Reggie Bush can do anything he wants. NO offense is great and MN defense is great. MN offense is pretty good too, but remember how good the NO offense is?”
Ball control on offense (literally; don’t give the ball to NO) and the Vikings run all over the Saints. MN defense will get its stops, don’t know if the NO defense is strong enough to stop the MN offense. Gotta like the purple, especially if they can score early.
did anyone catch pawlenty’s comments on the new deck project in duluth??? sounds exactly what needs to be said of the minnesota vikings!!! IF YER GONNA REMAIN COMPETETIVE IN A MARKET THAT DEMANDS STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES,ITS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ONE OF THESE FACILITIES….IF WERE GONNA BE COMPETETIVE REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY!!! PULL YER HEAD OUT YER KEESTER GOV. PAWLENTY!!!
At my local precinct caucus this evening a resolution was proposed to not allow public funding for a new stadium. Thankfully the resolution was not approved. It was a narrow margin but if the rest of the state follows it means half the state of Minnesota is for it. It takes less than half the state to fill a stadium. The writer of the resolution brought up some good points, namely the state of our economy. Pohlad got a stadium with less money down than Mr Wilf is planning on spending. The U got a stadium. The Vikings are the most popular team in Minnesota, we should get a new stadium.
Consider the loss of revenue, loss of jobs, (etc) that would happen if we lose the Vikings. The economic issues facing us are important but I should not have to give up my hobbies.
Thanks for posting Jean! We need Vikings fans to step up this election year and let their voices heard!
Great article Cory, I was at the game in N.O and have felt like someone has kicked me in the stomach over and over again since. That being said now is the most important time to ratchet up every email we can muster and get this thing done in 2010. TPaw has even recognized the importance of the Vikings and semi endorsed using a state lottery to fund the stadium, I use semi endorsed loosely because TPaw has no backbone and wont ink his name to any good stadium ideas. At least he is throwing some ideas out there though, lets flood the capital with emails and calls this month they cant ignore us all.
Nice piece. Remember that the first stadium at the Meadowlands was paid for with money from the racetrack as originally planned. In other words, there is precedent within the NFL for gambling money to pay for a stadium. And by the way, the new Giants/Jets stadium at the Meadowlands almost touches the first turn of the track.
The battle cry for the Racino should be “Why Not?” You guys obviously know the answer. And you’re right about putting it on the ballot. The tribes can buy the politicians, but they can’t buy the voters.
i got to admit that the 2008 season was my first year as being a season ticket holder and i first thought that there was nothing wrong with the dome. i think part of that was the excitement of being a first time season ticket holder. but as i attended the first preseason game against kc this past season, i looked around and couldn’t help but to think “what a dump this place is.” our stadium has only 2 decks, whereas most nfl stadiums have at 3. the video screen and our so-called “jumbotron” are relics at best. and that’s just a list of a few things that i find wrong with the dome. we need a new stadium but we need one with a retractable roof. that way we can someday host a superbowl and, (quite possibly), maybe a wrestlemania? just a suggestion.
I am a third generation devoted Vikings fan from Virginia with an entire extended family living in Minnesota. We spend thousands of dollars a year on the Vikings. I guess our money isn’t good enough, but it obviously will disappear if the Vikings leave. I have emailed Minnesota representatives to keep the Vikings in Minnesota and build the new stadium. I shared a similar story that I have just experienced where I am from:
Richmond, Virginia has had a top level farm team for the Atlanta Braves for many many years. I grew up going to those games and have many memories of wonderful times there. The Richmond Braves wanted and needed a new baseball stadium; however the elected officials of Virginia and the City of Richmond decided that it was not important enough to the economy and let the team go. Now, realizing they made a huge mistake, they have lost a beloved team, and have to spend millions more to recruit a new team, staff and build a new stadium than it would have cost in the beginning. They are struggling to reach the community to gain acceptance of “The Richmond Flying Squirrels” – dumb name. I would hate to see this happen in Minnesota. Although the Richmond Braves were not a professional team, they meant a lot to the community and brought a lot more revenue in than our elected officials could comprehend.
VIKINGS=MINNESOTA MINNESOTA=VIKINGS
Please, lets get this done!!
I live in the state of Ohio,but since 1968 my heart leaves me every year to set up residence in the Twin Cities.Every sunday during the season I laugh,hoot,holler,cry,and yes,even sometimes cuss at my NFL Sunday Ticket enhanced big screen as my Vikes play.Yes even here in Ohio,we still bleed Purple.The reason I’m writing is when Art Modell took his team and left Cleveland the morale of a number of people I knew changed,It wasn’t hard to pick out the Browns fans..it lasted quite awhile too…even after a new Brown’s team was put in place alot of fans never got passed that “Disconnect”.I’m sure the Mayors office in Cleveland can give you stats on how much the local economy was adversely affected,and while your at it, get in touch with Baltimore’s Mayor and find out how much there’s jumped.It was very lucky for their city that it was able to land a pro football team considering that the Colts left there earlier foe Indianapolis.Still the financial and bitter feelings lasted years,I’m sure.Could the owners make do in an enviroment that financially sets them back.year after year?Haven’t the Wilf’s and the player’s interacted well in the community for years?The various projects,hospital visits, school visits ,providing our children and young adults with positive role models.Theres alot to think about here..Money being an important part…but maybe not the top one.I implore you.if you have options available research them.work outside the box on this,just find a way to make it happen.It just fits with the great Scandinavian and Norwegian heritage in that Great State of yours I know that if they leave the state,I and many others won’t follow them….why?,for the California Vikings?.or worse yet…they can’t keep the Mascots name and it becomes the LA Express or something like that……..a terrible thought for any true fan.Lastly with the options at your feet ,I’m sure you will get this done,theoptions of not doing so are alot worse.I’ll be rooting for you all…..from miles away.
I want to provide some hopefully helpful information to you very true-blue Vikings fans. Although I’m not a football fan, and the aspect of yet another tax frightens me, I want to give you some negotiating ideas to help make this stadium a reality.
As you know, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are paying several “additional” taxes to support the current Metrodome, Convention Center, the Target Center and the new Target Field. My idea is simple, transfer the existing taxes for the Metrodome and Convention Center to the new Vikings stadium. I’m sure the Convention Center and Metrodome are paid for. The taxes already exist, so it would take the legislature to transfer those to the building of a new stadium.
I also like the idea of the Vikings-dedicated license plates. The stadium would get a lot of funding from that alone.
Because ticket prices and memorabilia are high, I don’t know if a surcharge on that merchandise would work.
Good luck, and I hope we can work this out, with the majority happy with the results.
Jim
I very support for new stadium now last chance need pass. I said Gov tim pawlenty know this lot fan want vikings stay here on minnesota own our state forever! Go viking! Still alive! Go need pass new stadium! Stay forever!…
If Los Angeles really wants an NFL team so bad, why don’t they just go for an expansion team? Roski puts up his stadium, then the NFL awards him and his group a team that they build from the ground up. Casey Wasserman puts up a stadium downtown by the Chavez Ravine, the NFL can award him and his group the other expansion team that they build from the ground up. One team can go in the NFC and the other in the AFC and bring the league up to 34 teams, and to balance out the schedule, an extra bye week. So each team will have two byes. If the NFL proposes to go to an 18 week schedule that arrangement would work.
The Vikings belong in Minnesota it’s a case closed matter. 50 years of a rooted fan base that covers Minnesota, parts of Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Iowa, and Illinois. I really believe that Wilf will get his stadium through, because now with the Gophers Stadium up, they’ve got a place to play while the construction of the new stadium goes up. And if Target Field is big enough dimension wise to put a football field in there, that would work. That gives the construction crews that built those two stadiums to get the bids going for the Vikings stadium. 50 years of series with Green Bay, Chicago, and Detroit. The NFC North is fine the way it is. The NFL would be wise to leave that alone. If they’re going to move a team they should move Jacksonville first because of blackouts.
Minnesota has a good established football following and that should be left alone.
All i can say is if the dems win the governors race in MN, it will not just be the vikings in trouble, or leaving as people wont be able to afford to live here, or get jobs.
I am a Packers fan and a Favre fan.
I want your team to stay put. Our rivalry is part of what makes the NFL so special.
But I think a move to LA is coming. The Wilfs will sell the team when the stadium plans fail and then the team is off in two years time.
Hopefully your great city will see a Superbowl champ before you lose your franchise for ever
Hey Cory,
I couldn’t agree more with Todd Glocke, RUN FOR OFFICE!!! Our state is not being served by the our representatives. They have forgotten that their job is to REPRESENT the people who put them in office. Poll after poll shows that Minnesotans support the racino idea to fund a new stadium, but our cowardly absentee Gov and the re-election based politicans seem to think that they know better than us minions. Through this site you have proven that you have your finger on the pulse of the people and you have the ability to get people together and you certainly aren’t afraid to make waves. Give it a thought…You’d have my vote.
Maybe you have said already and I missed it but, do you feel comfortable letting us know what members of the media have sent you the hate mail? Maybe we could let their employers know how we feel about them.
I have addressed it with their superiors. I am not the type to take a verbal slapping laying down
build it just do it MN congress or you willbe out of a job. MN drug their feet on Target Field now look its the talk of the world come on new stadium and Superbowl will follow
I live in Michigan. I don’t want to be a Lions fan. The vikings must stay.
I cannot believe that it appears politicians will be sending the Vikings packing to California, a team on the verge of winning the Super Bowl. A team supported BY the people (sound familiar) who have been trying for forty years. These people who supposedly represent the wants and needs of the people have failed and should be kicked out of office, what a disgrace. Most of the people in the U.S. don’t know where their tax dollars end up WHY the bickering over something over half of Minnesota wants, 7,500 new jobs, billions in revenue. Politicians who vote no will never be forgotten, truly what goes around comes around. The crybabies who say “education is going to suffer” well I was educated in one of those “old” buildings and went on to do PhD work. It’s not the building, but teachers who care that make the difference in education. Can you imagine living in Minnesota without the Vikings? The Vikings were part of my education. No matter how you slice it the bottom line is the Vikings could be moving because of a few strokes of the pen, what a power trip. How many of these politicians who voted no have turned on the tube on Sunday to watch the Vikings? They could and should be flipping burgers next election.
Where can we go to track the progress of this petition and “Likes” on facebook
C’mon!!!! Everyone join in here and Help Save The Vikings and GET A NEW STADIUM BUILT!!!!
At my local precinct caucus this evening a resolution was proposed to not allow public funding for a new stadium. Thankfully the resolution was not approved. It was a narrow margin but if the rest of the state follows it means half the state of Minnesota is for it. It takes less than half the state to fill a stadium. The writer of the resolution brought up some good points, namely the state of our economy. Pohlad got a stadium with less money down than Mr Wilf is planning on spending. The U got a stadium. The Vikings are the most popular team in Minnesota, we should get a new stadium.
Consider the loss of revenue, loss of jobs, (etc) that would happen if we lose the Vikings. The economic issues facing us are important but I should not have to give up my hobbies.
I am from Ottawa, Ontario and have been a Minnesota Vikings fan since a very young age and if the Vikings move to Los Angeles, San Antonio, or Toronto because the politicians don’t get a new stadium deal done, I can guarantee that the National Football League will never place a franchise in the state of Minnesota ever again. The Vikings have been the most successful sports franchise in the state of Minnesota and it won’t be the same if the Vikings don’t remain in Minnesota for many years to come. GET A NEW STADIUM DEAL DONE AND KEEP THE VIKINGS IN MINNESOTA