And The Vikings Continue To Say Everything By Doing Nothing (UPDATED W/Reax)

((HT: KARE-TV))

Let's face it...

NFL owners only want to hide behind their underlings in cases of perpetual dumpster fires...

Like what's going on in Minnesota with the Vikings...

Early this morning, the team without a whole lot of fanfare, decided to put Adrian Peterson on something called the "exempt" list until his legal problems are taken care of in Texas.

This morning, local time, the Wilfs, GM Rick Spielman, and Vikings legal counsel Kevin Warren almost answered questions with the local media. Their mantra seemed to be "just wanting to move on" instead of answering about the lack of response and waffling when the team did respond to what was going on in Peterson's personal life.

Here's the presser in its entirety...
The HQ knows of three other cases involving Vikings players where the team took immediate disciplinary action- none of them were of the star power of Peterson- which speaks volumes to the lack of enforcement (and consistent enforcement). Zygi Wilf read a statement and took no questions... The HQ remains stunned... Immediately after the presser aired, Adam Schein went off (like most sports talk hosts around the country, the HQ is sure) on his "Schein on Sports" program on Mad Dog Sports Radio ((HT: SiriusXM/Mad Dog Sports Radio))

And, Now, AP Is "Exempt..." Until Further Notice

((HT: KMSP-TV))

Nothing like a middle of the night missive...

The Wilf's have decided to go against their previous team decision and now have placed Adrian Peterson on a Commissioner's Exempt List- which the HQ thinks only Michael Vick was on previously.

AP has been "asked," "encouraged," or whatever verb you can pick for this situation to stay away from all Vikings team activities until further notice- when his legal issues are taken care of through legal channels.

Here's the morning news- or the "middle of the night" news...


The Wilfs made the decision to avoid any kind of exposure in front of cameras until they could control the situation for their own benefit- translation: a press conference where they may or may not show up themselves and can have GM Rick Spielman defend an undefendable position.

A press conference is set for later this morning and we'll update you then...

Big Sponsors Now Voicing Displeasure Over Peterson's Status

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities/ESPN))

This is getting escalated quickly...

Big-name Minnesota Vikings sponsors and public figures are voicing their displeasure with the Adrian Peterson situation and the idea that Peterson will play this weekend against New Orleans. Radisson Hotels is suspending its sponsorship of the team and the governor is getting his two cents in.

Of course, it was the lead at 5:00
KMSP-TV

Here's Governor Dayton's statement in full:

"It is an awful situation. Yes, Mr. Peterson is entitled to due process and should be "innocent until proven guilty." However, he is a public figure; and his actions, as described, are a public embarrassment to the Vikings organization and the State of Minnesota. Whipping a child to the extent of visible wounds, as has been alleged, should not be tolerated in our state. Therefore, I believe the team should suspend Mr. Peterson, until the accusations of child abuse have been resolved by the criminal justice system. However, I will not turn my back on the Vikings and their fans, as some have suggested. The Vikings belong to Minnesota – and in Minnesota. This has been the team's only home; and our citizens, including myself, have been its most dedicated fans."

And KO is still on the forefront to keep 28 from playing for the near future- dropping another pipe bomb

Kluwe And Vikes Settle Lawsuit

((HT: KARE-TV))

Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has settled his discrimination lawsuit against his former employer over his release.

Kluwe maintained that his opinions and his support for gay marriage along with the alleged behavior of special teams coordinator Mike Priefer toward Kluwe that included the use of gay slurs during practice got him released.

The Vikings are now donating to LGBTQ charities, enacting a zero tolerance policy within the franchise, and enlisting in sensitivity training as part of the settlement.

Here's the wrap on the lawsuit
"Our focus remains on maintaining a culture of tolerance, inclusion and respect, and creating the best workplace environment for our players, coaches and staff," Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf said in a statement released during Kluwe's news conference. "As a family we have long-supported equal rights causes, including marriage equality," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf in a statement. "We are glad a resolution of this matter has been reached, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to create positive awareness of these issues."

Vikes Priefer Suspended, Kluwe Still Looks To Sue

((HT: KSTP-TV))

Let's just say it got real in the Twin Cities with the Chris Kluwe-Mike Priefer allegations and investigations.

The Minnesota Vikings held their own investigation and have now suspended special teams coach Mike Priefer for three games- two if he successfully completes sensitivity training. Priefer, apparently, has been found out for lying about his involvement in the case from the beginning. He initially denied saying what he did to Vikings players, but has now come out admitting he said disparaging comments toward gays.

But the Vikings only say that Priefer said that kind of comment on one occasion.

Here's a quick look at the Vikes investigation


Kluwe is still planning to sue the Vikings on four separate charges next week- religious and sexual orientation discrimination, defamation and intentional interference with contractual negotiations.

He took to Twitter to drop a series of pipe bombs last night when the Vikes released their report. The comments included (and are mandatory reading, by the way):

Oooh, shall we talk about the time two very well known Vikings players were caught in a compromising situation with an underage girl?

Don't worry folks, you'll know when I'm on tilt. The Vikings clearly think turning this dirty will scare me off. Says all you need to know.

Also interesting how so many are willing to follow the Vikings' false lead with the leak about me, and not the admission of Priefer's guilt.

Interesting stat of the night. In a 29 page report, 3 pages deal with the actual subject.

Here's the paperwork from the Vikings
((HT: Deadspin))

Kluwe Investigation

Super Bowl 52 Goes to Twin Cities

((HT: KFAN Radio))

The town and the Vikings ownership group used this video to court the National Football League for a January-February football game


Indianapolis was knocked out on the first vote and Minneapolis beat out New Orleans for the Roman Numeral Classic
((HT: KARE-TV))
"On behalf of all Minnesotans, I want to thank Co-Chairs Doug Baker, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, and Richard Davis, and the Minnesota Vikings, for their superb and successful efforts to bring the 2018 Super Bowl to Minnesota," Gov. Mark Dayton said in a statement. "Hosting the Super Bowl will provide a terrific opportunity to showcase Minnesota to the world. It will also bring major economic benefits to our state."
The Vikings will play outdoors on the University of Minnesota campus for the next two seasons while the new barn is being built. The 2016 season will be the first in the new building for the Vikes. Houston, the new San Francisco stadium, and Arizona will be in play before Minnesota.

And, now, Atlanta is on the want and on the clock for the 2019 game...

More Of The Metrodome Goes Boom

((HT: KARE-TV))

We all know that the Minnesota Vikings are heading over to the University for the next few seasons while they build the new barn downtown.

But to construct, you have to destruct...

And the beauty of dynamite is that it can do the work for you...

Here's the newest stage of the destruction...

Deflation Of Metrodome Begins

((HT: KARE-TV))

As cool as the idea is, the deflation of the Metrodome isn't a quick deal. But it will happen over time...

A lot of it depends on the winter weather in the Twin Cities. If the winds are light, then it won't take long.

Then, the electricity will be shut off, and the dome will begin to deflate.

It also looks like 15,000 seats have been sold to the public who wanted seats...

Here's the early returns...

Vikings LB Henderson Arrested for DUI Again

Henderson Booking Photo

((ht: startribune.com))

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson may be exhausting his supply of "Get Out of Jail Free" cards.

Henderson was arrested for the 2nd time in just over a month for DUI on Wednesday afternoon.

He was apparently pulled over after police got complaints of someone speeding and "Driving All over the road". That SUV later crashed at a park and ride lot.

Henderson is facing charges of 2nd degree drunk riving, had a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia with him.

Read the full story from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune RIGHT HERE

It's already been an eventful offseason for the Vikings who are looking for a new coach to take over for the departed Leslie Frazier. Henderson, a starter for the team, is going to have a lot of explaining to do. Whether it be his team owner Zygi Wilf, current GM Rick Spielman or whomever the new coach is.

Being pulled over for driving while intoxicated is NEVER a good thing, but one time, you can escape. 2nd time, you've got a problem you need to address, it happens again, his playing days will be over.

Henderson will be in court on March 3rd.

Chris Kluwe Blasts Old Bosses In Minnesota

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

Including calling his old boss, Leslie Frazier, a "coward" and his special teams coach a "bigot."

As you all know, now-former NFL punter Chris Kluwe has never been afraid to speak his mind and tell people what he thinks in his highly-thought out opinions especially on topics like gays in the NFL and same-sex marriage...

Example below...
((HT: CNN))


He believes he was waived by the Vikings because of his beliefs (completely believable) and now has written a scorched-earth column in Deadpsin where he cites incidents:

One paragraph...

"It's my belief, based on everything that happened over the course of 2012, that I was fired by Mike Priefer, a bigot who didn't agree with the cause I was working for, and two cowards, Leslie Frazier and Rick Spielman, both of whom knew I was a good punter and would remain a good punter for the foreseeable future, as my numbers over my eight-year career had shown, but who lacked the fortitude to disagree with Mike Priefer on a touchy subject matter."

One of his goals is to make sure that Priefer, if what Kluwe relates is accurate, never coaches anywhere ever again...

Kluwe did say, however, that owner Zygi Wilf supported his thoughts even as Frazier apparently told him not to talk about politics in public...

But the HQ is all for beautifully, unique sparkleponies and it will be interesting to see where Kluwe and those he mentions come out in all this- even as it looks less and less like Kluwe will be employed as a punter in the NFL because of his beliefs...

Which is a shame...

Black Monday Begins: Frazier Out In Minnesota, Shanahan Out In DC

According to multiple media outlets, the first firing in the National Football League is...

Minnesota's Leslie Frazier...

After not having any kind of quarterbacking, and that includes Cassell, Freeman, and Ponder- even with Joe Webb at WR as a QB... It looks like the Wilf family wants a new look as they leave the Metrodome and head over to the University of Minnesota for two years, before their new barn is built.

Understandable, but disappointing...

We'll keep an eye on places like Detroit, Washington, and all points in between...
The folks from 1500ESPNTwinCities discuss after the game from yesterday...


0935 UPDATE: Mike Shanahan and his entire staff are out in DC. The dysfunction, as Brother J-Dub can attest, is finally over. There seemed to be too much of everything surrounding RG3 and his handling...

And, now, it's done... the loss to the Giants and Curtis Painter didn't help, either...

Here was the discussion yesterday as to who should be the new Redskins coach...
((HT: CSNWashington))

Vikes Break Ground On New Stadium

((HT: KSTP-TV))

The Wilf brothers, Twin Cities mayor RT Rybak, and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton were among a bunch of folks who broke ground on the new Vikings stadium this morning...

You'll see below just how cute everyone was with their golden shovels and viking helmets...

Here's the movement of the shovels...


It's supposed to take 2-and-a-half years to build the new barn on the grounds of the Metrodome...

“What a day,” Zygi Wilf said. “It was always our intention to bring a championship and a stadium” to Minnesota, he said. “We are embarking on our way to both.”

“It’s easy to demagogue against a project like this. But demagoguery doesn’t put people to work,” Governor Dayton said.

The 65,000-seat stadium is set to open for the 2016 season, and the Vikings will play on the Minnesota campus at TCF Bank Stadium for the time in between...

$975M Won't Be Enough For Vikes Stadium After All...Maybe...

((HT: Minnesota CBS))

If they want all their bells and whistles that they have planned...

The Wilf family has ponied up an additional $13-million for cost overruns and the city stadium authority has a $60-plus million fund for "contingencies..."

Whatever that means...

The team will know more next month when all the budget line items are in place to see what stays and what goes...
But, for now, it looks like elevators are in and skyways are out...

Here's Nina Moini...

Wilf Family Ordered To Pay $84.5M In Fraud Case

((HT: KARE-TV))

New Jersey Superior Court Judge Deanne Wilson has ordered Zygi Wilf, Mark Wilf, and their cousin to pay $84.5 million to two former business partners they defrauded in a 1980s real estate deal. It was ruled they committed fraud and breach of contract and violated the state's civil racketeering laws in their dealings with Ada Reichmann and her brother Josef Halpern.

The Wilf family was sued by Halpern and Reichmann over a proposed 764-unit apartment complex. Halpern and Reichmann were paid as on-site managers, but were cut out of the revenues worked out of the project.

The Wilfs' attorneys said they plan to appeal. The family won't have to pay any of the award until all appeals have been exhausted. The trial took almost seven months to complete and any appeal could take up to three years to be heard. It was also 21 years in the making...

Here's the early judgment...
Naturally, there is a point of concern... the running of the Vikings and the construction of the new downtown stadium. BUT... Minneapolis Stadium Facilities Authority chair Michele Kelm Helgen and Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley say that the ruling will have no effect on it. "The Vikings and the Wilf family have the financial ability to meet the private commitments of the stadium project regardless of the outcome of this legal matter," Bagley said. The MSFA recently wrapped up a due diligence inquiry to verify that the Wilfs could cover their share of the Vikings stadium costs. We'll see where that goes... Here's the KSTP-TV version... And here's the judge's order in full...

New Vikings Stadium May Be Delayed

((ht: star-tribune.com))

Perhaps the Minnesota Vikings won't be moving into a new stadium so fast.

A controversy of sorts seems to be popping up in Minnesota as the Sports Facility Authority says the Vikings owners, the Wilf family may not be able to pay their share of the teams new facility.

Zygi and Mark Wilf are in the midst of legal action in the state of New Jersey where they are accused among other things, of defrauding partners on a real estate investment. Thus far, they've lost the proceedings and the potential exists for a rather large settlement they'll be paying out.

For their part, the Facility Authority has been asking for a statement indicating the Wilf's can pay their $477 million share of the teams proposed $975 million brand spanking new stadium. They claim the Wilf's and/or their representatives are not handing over the financial information.

Read the entire, well-detailed story by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune RIGHT HERE

The story indicates this may or not be a significant delay. But it raises a lot of questions:

--If the Wilf's lose and are liable in the New Jersey suit, how big a hit will it take on their personal finances.

--Would that loss affect their ability to fund their share of the stadium (Doubtful, the NFL and others would step up to help with this)

--Will it affect their ability to own the team?

There are some questions here the NFL should be asking themselves as well. The Wilf's legal issues are the second instance of a team owner getting in trouble for questionable decisions. They pride themselves on having only the best rich people own teams, but that is beginning to look like it may not be true.

Perhaps someone needs to tell the NFL they might want to work on their image. But then again, all the league has to do is point to the fact the season starts in just two weeks and fans will fall all over themselves to consume their product.

That trumps just about everything else....

KARE-11 TV in Minneapolis has more:

Your NFL Team wants to price you out of their stadium

This is apparently an outdated Ga.Dome

((ht: ajc.com))

You've heard us rant multiple times about pro sports stadium issues. You've heard us decry the blatant blackmail efforts of the NFL in Minnesota. We've railed on about AEG trying to steal a team in Los Angeles. And we've spoken about the fraud the Atlanta Falcons are about to perpetrate on their fans too.

And you know what? We're right. And now we've found a story and some numbers that prove it.

We've heard from NFL fans who say "They have to build a new stadium to keep the team. It brings tourists to the area and business to the community".

Uh...no it doesn't.

Especially the way the trend in prices is going.

According to an excellent story in Sunday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution written by Tim Tucker, the last 3-teams to build stadiums have increased their ticket prices by an average of nearly 26-percent. And in a couple of cases, have added PSL's where there were none before.

Read the very detailed article from AJC.com RIGHT HERE

Now, we'll just say we aren't "Anti-Stadium" period. But we are "anti-stadium" in places that already have one. And in the case of the Falcons, a rather nice one that just doesn't have enough "Club Seats".

The reason: Simple. The owner doesn't pay for it. Or if he "does", he just passes the cost down to you. The city doesn't pay for it. They just take it from "Tourist Taxes". Even though on "paper" their may be no cost to the taxpayers of a city or state, its the longtime season ticket holders or family that wants to catch a game that pays for it.

We were stunned to see in the story that the average cost for a family of 4 to attend an NFL game is over $421.

Yeah...$421.

Able to fork that over a couple times a season?

Sure, we know this sounds like we are railing on the NFL, the most popular sports league of all-time. And maybe in a sense, we are. But that's because the NFL and its teams don't really care what you think. Or what we think.

All they care about are luxury/club seat holders. If they could get away with charging you a PSL and Club Seat price for every seat in their "Luxury Stadium", they would. They won't tell you that publicly, but it sure is the impression they give.

Think about it.

If you have 2 kids, a wife and make $30,000 a year, you are just trying to keep your heads above water. Now imagine one of your kids is an Atlanta Falcons fan. Today, you aren't paying the league avg., you are only paying roughly $390 to take your family to the game.

That's roughly 3 weeks of groceries. That's more than a car payment.

And that price is likely to go up.

The Falcons are going to get their new stadium. Believe us, its already been signed off on. And guess who is going to pay for it.

Yeah, team owner Arthur Blank will "Front" a good chunk of the nearly $1 billion. But you do realize that savvy businessmen make investments, don't you? They don't spend their money unless they know they are going to make it back.

And Arthur, much like Zygi Wilf, Jerry Jones and others will make it back. In spades.

And the cost will be passed down to you.

Your $80 dollar mid-level, end zone seat, $100. And that is if you want to pay oh $750 to $1000 for the right to buy it.

Really, we are kind of gloating here a bit because we found something to validate our opinion. And to be totally honest, most people these days can watch a game in the comfort of their own home. They don't get subjected to the massive crowds, the non-stop stream of TV Timeouts and the ability to do what they want when they want to.

We will get off our soapbox now. Mostly because we know it isn't going to change your behavior, your spending habits or really your thoughts about the NFL. We just want to make you think about it a little more. And realize that as much as you'd like it to be representative of you and your city, it's really all about the owner and the league and how much money they can make off of people who actually have it...and occasionally those who don't.

A perennial favorite. And what this is all about:

BREAKING: MSP City Council Approves Stadium

((HT: Star-Tribune/Roper))

The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 to approve a plan that would fund the facility using redirected sales taxes.

The vote is one of the last hurdles for the project, but the Council still has to ratify their decision during a regularly scheduled meeting Friday morning.

If the vote stays as is, the city will finance its portion of the stadium using a citywide sales tax, downtown restaurant and liquor taxes and a hotel tax. Those taxes work toward paying off the city convention center, but money can be transferred to the new Vikings stadium project when the debt is paid off by 2020.

More when we know more...

BREAKING: Dayton Signs Vikes Stadium Bill

((HT: KSTP-TV))

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill for the new Minnesota Sports Complex at a noon ceremony at the Capitol. Every important muckety-muck who had a hand in it (or thinks they did) was there to see it...

Here's the deal as it stands now...

The state legislation is committing to raising $348 million by allowing electronic pull-tabs and bingo in bars and restaurants. There are also backup funding measures such as a lottery game and luxury suite taxes.

The HQ thinks there's going to need to be more back-up to their back-up...
But that's just us...

Here's the latest before the signing this afternoon...


More when we know more...

Questions Remain For Vikes Stadium

Like... would Vikings owner Zygi Wilf really have moved the team...???

The only question that isn't a question is that the Board of Regents and the University of Minnesota is letting the Vikes play at TCF Stadium on campus while the new barn is being built...

They get close to $3-million a year as part of the deal...
((HT: KSTP-TV))


Here's the look at the real questions: all money related for the building of the barn... and the Wilf brothers are looking at a retractable roof if they can handle the cost...


KARE-TV's John Croman catches up with the Wilfs...


And Channel 11's look at the questions left on the floor...

DEVELOPING: Minnesota House Passes Vikes Bill

The Minnesota House spent over eight and a half hours debating and changing the Vikings stadium bill (which politicians are wont to do), but went ahead and passed the bill with a 73-58 vote anyway.

One change in the bill, that the Vikings didn't ask for and certainly don't like, is an amendment to increase the Vikings contribution from $427 million to $532 million.

That part of the bill will, probably, go back for discussion as it heads for the state Senate. If that gets fixed, governor Mark Dayton could sign the bill by the end of the week.

The state would share revenue from naming rights for the stadium in the current version instead of letting the Vikes can keep all of the money. The team would also pay any cost overruns.

"It's only fair that the public have part of that contribution," Representative Pat Garofalo told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Mark Kaszuba and Rachel E. Stassen-Berger.

The HQ tells the state of Minnesota good luck on that one...

Jeff DeMars saw a bunch of Vikings fans in the capitol rotunda before the vote went down...
((HT: KARE-TV))