Reality Check: Value Of The Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) It may not be what Minnesota Vikings fans want to hear, but one preseason survey puts the Purple among the worst performing teams in the NFL. It's the race for revenue and the Vikings' value is dropping.
It's TRUE...
The Vikings lost 7 percent of its worth last year, according to Forbes Magazine's annual team valuations.
The Vikings rank near the bottom of the league at No. 30 with the team valued at $774 million.
They're just ahead of the Oakland Raiders at No. 31 with $758 million and Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 32, last in the league with $725 million value last year.
IN FACT...
The NFL is filled with Have Lots, and Have Nots.
The Dallas Cowboys -- and their new stadium -- are No. 1 in value with $1.8 billion.
The Washington Redskins are No. 2 at $1.6 billion and the New England Patriots rank third at $1.4 billion.
That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.
Since the Minnesota Twins moved out, the Vikings moved in -- aggressively.
They branded the Metrodome and sold the naming rights.
They also built a members-only, high-buck, Gridiron Club. It's a way to boost revenues: the Metrodome produced $221 million for team owner Zygi Wilf last year. That's 29th in the NFL, according to Forbes.
And why is that important?
Here's the REALITY.
The Vikings want a new publicly-funded stadium.
They say they won't renew their Metrodome lease when it expires at the end of next year, raising the possibility of moving.
So the big number the Viking are watching: 16 regular season games left and counting. A spokesman for the Vikings said today "decision time" is here.
"Bottom line: If we want an NFL team in our market, we have to solve stadium issue," said Lester Bagley, Vice President of the Minnesota Vikings.
That's Reality Check.
To check the resources for this Reality Check, click on the links below.
- Forbes: The Most Valuable NFL Teams
- Star Tribune: At home at the dome
- Vikings: MOA buys naming rights to Metrodome field
- Forbes: #30 Minnesota Vikings
- Vikings New Stadium Vision
