Reality Check: Twins Vs. Vikings For Popularity
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) Target Field's fired up for the American League Playoffs and Mall of America Field will be getting an extra jolt of excitement with Randy Moss coming back to town.
It's an exhilarating time, for sure. But for fans, it can be confusing, too.
Who's more popular? The Twins ... or the Vikings?
Outside Target Field, there's no debate: The Minnesota Twins own this town.
"The Twins today!" yelled an exuberant fan outside Target Field. "Gotta be!"
But there's a different take at Mall of America Field, where the Purple reign.
"I can't make a choice," said one agonized fan. "That's like asking between your mom or your dad."
IN FACT...
The Twins smoke the Vikes in attendance. A record 3.2 million people attended 81 games.
For the Vikes: eight games -- 510,000.
That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.
The Vikings are worth *far* more than the Twins. Forbes Magazine puts the Purple's value at $774 million.
The Twins: $404 million.
And what about the places they play?
Here's what you NEED TO KNOW...
Not even close. The Vikings play in one of the oldest, least functional stadiums in the country. The Twins?
Target Field is ranked as the best stadium in America.
"I think it's a Twins town right now, because of the playoffs," one fan decided before the game.
There's MORE...
Twins television ratings are up dramatically this year. But they don't come close to the Vikings.
And Joe Mauer versus Bret Favre? They're both top five in their respective sports in the number of jerseys sold.
Who's more popular? On the first day of the playoffs?
Are you kidding?
The Twins, of course.
That's Reality Check.
To check the resources from Pat Kessler's Reality Check, click on the links below.
- Twins regular season ends with all-time franchise attendance record
- NFL Attendance - 2009
- Forbes.com: #30 Minnesota Vikings
- Forbes.com: #16 Minnesota Twins
- Minnesota Vikings Football Team Stadium
- Ballpark of the Year: Target Field
- TV ratings show big Twins following
- Saints' win over Vikings receives record television ratings
- Rookie Tim Tebow Has NFL's Best-Selling Jersey in April; McNabb Is Second
