Eight years ago today...

[PurpleMustReign]

Zygi and Mark Wilf bought a certain NFL team named the Minnesota Vikings.
So far, other than some parts of th Childress era, I would consider him/them the best owners in all of sports. With everything they have done, from fixing up Winter Park to getting a new Vikings Stadium and putting a lot of their money toward it, they have done more for MN Sports than any other owner in the area probably ever will (although Glen Taylor is good too).

Thanks to the Wilf Family!!!

SKOL!!

[Eli]

They're learning as they go. I think they've come a long way as owners in that eight years, having stubbed a few toes in the process. But no question, they're infinitely better than the previous owner.

And you can call me a skeptic, but the stadium deal is likely to make them a couple hundred million dollars richer. Certainly can't fault them for that. It's what the rich do - they work hard at getting even richer. The stadium was done primarily to increase revenues and to increase the value of the franchise. It was sorely needed, but the main motive for the ownership group was profit.

I still get the feeling that given the chance, Zygi would trade the Vikings and a couple of shopping malls for the New York Giants, without blinking an eye.

[King James]

I think the stadium deal cemented the Wilf's in most Vikings fans heart. I remember earlier around 2010. I always accused them of not being "football men," and that their primary goal is to make profit and not putting for the effort to build a elite franchise. That being said I have a good feeling the Wilfs would have sold the team if the stadium deal couldn't get done. But now that we have a new stadium in the works, im sure they will stick around and milk as much money out of this new stadium as they can.

I still think they are not as involved as a good NFL owner should be. I look at Jerry Jones. His Cowboys may be struggling but you can tell he really love his team and he really loves his QB Tony Romo. He stays involved in a lot of the teams activities from what I can see and we really dont see or hear from the Wilfs unless its something like a coach changes or stadium talk. I like the Wilfs though. They did the smart thing by letting Rick Speilman become GM. Speilman is more involved than ever, ever since he got promoted.

[losperros]

They're learning as they go. I think they've come a long way as owners in that eight years, having stubbed a few toes in the process. But no question, they're infinitely better than the previous owner.

And you can call me a skeptic, but the stadium deal is likely to make them a couple hundred million dollars richer. Certainly can't fault them for that. It's what the rich do - they work hard at getting even richer. The stadium was done primarily to increase revenues and to increase the value of the franchise. It was sorely needed, but the main motive for the ownership group was profit.

I still get the feeling that given the chance, Zygi would trade the Vikings and a couple of shopping malls for the New York Giants, without blinking an eye.

Well said. I agree with all the above one hundred percent.

As for the Wilfs being the best owners out there, I can't comment because I'm not familiar with all the other owners and their teams. I agree about the Wilfs stubbing their toes along the way, including Zygi's ham-handed method of firing Mike Tice to his overzealous eagerness to hand power over to an egomaniacal Brad Childress. That said, the Wilfs seem to have a respectable learning curve, which has to be admired. After all everyone makes mistakes here and there, regardless what kind of money is involved.

[J. Kapp 11]

I still think they are not as involved as a good NFL owner should be. I look at Jerry Jones. His Cowboys may be struggling but you can tell he really love his team and he really loves his QB Tony Romo. He stays involved in a lot of the teams activities from what I can see and we really dont see or hear from the Wilfs unless its something like a coach changes or stadium talk. I like the Wilfs though. They did the smart thing by letting Rick Speilman become GM. Speilman is more involved than ever, ever since he got promoted.

Good grief ... you actually WANT a meddling owner like Jerry Jones?

He plays GM, and he's proven over and over that he's not qualified.

I like the way the Wilfs do it. They love the team, but they let the football people handle football.

[Funkytown]

I think the stadium deal cemented the Wilf's in most Vikings fans heart. I remember earlier around 2010. I always accused them of not being "football men," and that their primary goal is to make profit and not putting for the effort to build a elite franchise. That being said I have a good feeling the Wilfs would have sold the team if the stadium deal couldn't get done. But now that we have a new stadium in the works, im sure they will stick around and milk as much money out of this new stadium as they can.

I still think they are not as involved as a good NFL owner should be. I look at Jerry Jones. His Cowboys may be struggling but you can tell he really love his team and he really loves his QB Tony Romo. He stays involved in a lot of the teams activities from what I can see and we really dont see or hear from the Wilfs unless its something like a coach changes or stadium talk. I like the Wilfs though. They did the smart thing by letting Rick Speilman become GM. Speilman is more involved than ever, ever since he got promoted.

I've never had a problem with the Wilfs. I do, however, have a problem with Jerry Jones. He is one of the worst examples of an owner in football that I can think of. Sure, he loves his team. It's his baby. But, that doesn't mean he knows what is best for it. He's too involved if you ask me. He needs some more people around him who can be a little more objective. I'm curious to see if the Raiders can turn things around for their franchise now that the other Mr. Crazy NFL Owner isn't in charge. Time will tell. I see your point about JJ, but eh. There are better examples out there! He should leave some more of the "loving" to the fans and focus a little more on the business aspect of it. There has to be a happy medium. He hasn't found that. I think the Wilfs are closer.

[VikingPaul73]

Well said J Kapp, I was thinking the same thing. Please no meddling like Jones or that weasel Dan Snyder.

I like what the Wilf's are doing and definitely they seem to be learning along the way. They seem to learn from their mistakes (Chili and the 3 headed monster). Definitely Chili needed to go and a GM needed to be hired. We will see if Frazier and Spielman were the right choices but so far things look promising.....

[DarthBrooks]

The Wilfs have made a ton of good decisions, getting a new stadium, no drama from the coaches, allowing their GM a no holds barred free hand (Which has paid off big in the last two drafts. Getting another draft pick by dropping down from three to four took balls and so did maneuvering to get three first round pick)

Even the new unis look good.

[Eli]

Even the new unis look good.

That would make them 1 for 2 on the uniform front. As I said, they've learned and have corrected many of their early mistakes.

[jackal]

I didn't think it had been that long.. they have been good owners .. better than Red McCombs for sure

[PurpleMustReign]

Well said J Kapp, I was thinking the same thing. Please no meddling like Jones or that weasel Dan Snyder.

I like what the Wilf's are doing and definitely they seem to be learning along the way. They seem to learn from their mistakes (Chili and the 3 headed monster). Definitely Chili needed to go and a GM needed to be hired. We will see if Frazier and Spielman were the right choices but so far things look promising.....

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who saw the Jerry Jones post and thought... huh?

[jackal]

Jerry Jones is a terrible owner .. he gets in the way far more than he helps his team

[Funkytown]

So many people take digs at Childress on this board...anyone care to explain that? I've also witnessed (other boards) people taking shots at Green...anyone care to explain that? I liked them both just fine! I was iffy about Tice and Frazier at first...but I learned to like them both, as well. I guess I don't get hating on the coaches who have built great teams and given us some of the greatest seasons/memories in recent memory--and overall now that I think of it.

[vikeinmontana]

childress was a control-freak football coaching idiot. i saw more bonehead coaching decisions by him during his tenure than tice and frazier combined. very glad he's gone. there is a reason that he has a tiny role for the chiefs now. and i'm fairly confident not only will he never be a head coach again....i'd be shocked if he ever held a major position with an nfl team again.

[Funkytown]

childress was a control-freak football coaching idiot. i saw more bonehead coaching decisions by him during his tenure than tice and frazier combined. very glad he's gone. there is a reason that he has a tiny role for the chiefs now. and i'm fairly confident not only will he never be a head coach again....i'd be shocked if he ever held a major position with an nfl team again.

...a control freak? That's it? What "bonehead coaching decisions" are you referring to?