StarTribune.com

Forbes finds another way to tick off Minnesotans

Posted on October 14th, 2008 – 11:03 AM
By Michael Rand

Forbes, which brought you the evaluation that Kevin McHale is the best GM in sports, has now decided that the Vikings are the fourth-most likely team in pro sports to move to another city. To be fair: that evaluation is at least based in some more accepted fact; and judging by current satisfaction rates, some folks might not be sad to see the Vikings go. Nonetheless, we send you the link via yahoo and invite you to dissent. Here is a snippet (and thanks to swarmswarmswarm for sending it to us, even it was in a mean-spirited way).

What do the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Islanders and New Orleans Hornets all have in common?

Dreary stadiums they don’t own and stalling businesses eager to rake in more cash. In other words, they’re all ripe for a move. And that means city or state governments around the country can expect them to come calling for help financing a new venue.

Based on franchise valuations, revenue and attendance trends over the past few years, the most stagnant team businesses – those with the greatest likelihoods of hitting the road at some point – are those stuck in outdated arenas and stadiums. While market size drives local sponsorship deals and TV money, souped-up venues that drive revenue through high ticket prices, luxury suites and corporate packages are the order of the day. You don’t have that, you’re not in the game.

48 Responses to "Forbes finds another way to tick off Minnesotans"

jama says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am

How many games in a row have the Vikings pretended to sell out?

Sean says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:30 am

It’s hardly breaking news that the Vikings are a candidate to move. At some point in the near future, the Vikings are going to get a new stadium, Wilf will move the team, or he’ll sell to someone else to start the cycle over again.

Doug says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:38 am

What?

Oh NO!!!!!

How would we all survive if we lost the Vikings?

My days are spent chatting about all the playoff wins, Superbowl victories, great trades, ala H. Walker, and now Childress.

I just couldn’t take it if I wasn’t able to cheer on my home town team, especially when you have the chance to witness near perfection like that gem against those rough and tumble motor city kitties.

Please don’t go.

jama says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:44 am

So let’s say the Vikings ended up moving. Would Vikings fans abandon the NFL? What team would the locals follow? Would the Cheese Empire start moving west?

Rocket says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:47 am

Is Doug being sarcastic? It’s hard to tell.

Joker says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:48 am

5 years ago, I’d be pissed to see that. But in reality, why would the city want to spend money to build a new stadium? How much money does it really make local business? You’ve only got 8 days (not including preseason) out of the year where people are downtown when they normally wouldn’t be. Their colors are horrendous so no one will wear their appearal unless going to the game or have zero sense of style. I hate to say it, but I’m getting to the point of wanting them to leave so I can be a bears fan. At least they have a hat that I wouldn’t mind wearing in public. And I could place bets with jama on who will start at QB every year.

Clarence Swamptown says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:53 am

The numbers, values, and trends have been tabulated: This is the fourth-most likely Forbes list to give me gas.

Doug says:

October 14th, 2008 at 11:59 am

F’em.

Move if you want. I’ve seen enough egomaniacal athletes to last a lifetime.

Do you know when it started? Billy “white shoes” Johnson. Do you all know what I miss? Class…..like Walter Payton handing the ball to the ref like he’s been there before.

Now, we get to see a bunch of ass clowns dancing around like fools after making a routine tackle for a 5 yard gain.

Read a book, and expand your mind rather than watching a guy like Childress (who has about a 3% approval rating among fans) wonder the sidelines in a stupor.

AZGopherGirl says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

I think I’ll cancel my Forbes subscription in protest.

Doug says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

wander

jama says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Joker

You better get on that bandwagon soon. There isn’t going to be much room after the next game!

lattewarrior says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

I agree with Joker. The team’s gear is horrendous. If the team moved, I’d probably just become an apathetic Cardinals fan, which is really no different than being an apathetic Vikings fan, lest the Super Bowl losses. At least red goes with everything.

Denny Green says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

If they move, will they take the high road?

fasolamatt says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Many of you have asked me if I root for the Browns. I don’t, nor do I root for the purple dudes or the green dudes.

Mr. Joe Posnanski, who grew up a couple of miles east of me at the same time, is a far better writer than I, in the last paragraph of the link:

I have said before that I do not consider these Cleveland Browns to be the Cleveland Browns of my youth. I can’t help it, really. I would LOVE to feel the same way about this team. But I just can’t. I’m happy when they do well. I’m happy that my hometown has a football team again. I’m happy that many people seem to have put the past behind them and are are rabid about these Browns as they were the old Browns. I feel sure that if I was growing up in Cleveland right now, I would love this team the way I Ioved those heartbreaking Browns of my youth. But, this one’s involuntary. The spark is just gone for me.

When the Vikings move to Los Angeles, and the “new” Vikings move from Jacksonville to the “new” stadium where the beloved (hah!) ‘Dome used to be, will we feel the same?

ramon says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

I knew it… it was all Billy “White Shoes” Johnson’s fault. You let ‘em start dancing in the end zone, next thing you know they’ll start mooning you. Or ride the goalpost.

G-d forbid anyone ride the goalpost. What Winfield did was an insult to… goalposts everywhere!!

jama says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

So fasola are you saying you like the Ravens?

Doug says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

Good point, Ramon.

After six years of coaching 5-6 grade kids, I know I sure enjoy the way they mimic those “role” models.

Steve says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

I don’t put any stock in these kinds of speculative arguments, in fact, I believe Forbes once said the Strib was a “good” newspaper.

They’re obviously idiots.

Rocket says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Is Doug angry at football? It’s hard to tell.

fasolamatt says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

jama - bleep no. I have no NFL allegiance.

Clarence Swamptown says:

October 14th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Seems to me Doug is angry with the “Muhammed Ali-ification” of sports in general. I do not care for it either, but that horse left the barn years ago. It’s not a big enough deal for me to give up on an entire team or sport.

StraightCashHomey says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

I’ll say it: I would be very disappointed if the Vikings left. Despite my hatred of their colors and my ensuing unwillingness to purchase team apparel*, I like this team. I’ve always liked this team, even as I’ve hated them.

*Excludes kids’ Hutch Vikings Anthony Carter uniform, which was my favorite fake football uniform of all time.

jama says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

SCH

I will be mentioning my Hutch uniform in my Bears are the best/worst team ever post tomorrow.

Joker says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

jama

If the Bears win by more than 14 points, I’ll buy a Bears hat.

newbie says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

Joker-

If the Vikings win by more than 14 points, will you get a Vikings hat?

newbie says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

That is figuring that neither one of those is a real possibility.

Merx says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

“If the team moved, I’d probably just become an apathetic Cardinals fan, which is really no different than being an apathetic Vikings fan, lest the Super Bowl losses.”

I would become a Chargers fan which is exactly like being a Vikings fan.

danonymous says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

“I’ve always liked this team, even as I’ve hated them.”

SCH, great point. I only wish someone would expand on the idea and put it into book form that was available for purchase.

Merx says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Will either team even score 14 points?

roughkat says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

If neither team scores 14 points, you can never wear a hat again.

AZGopherGirl says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

latte, I face the same struggle. What do I wear to the Vikings/Cardinals game? I’m a girl and I hate the Vikings’ colors. I’ve vowed never to purchase pink sports apparel. We’ve established it’s douche-like to wear the gear of a team not in the game you’re watching. My only option is my RandBall T!

Which reminds me - I thought a fun RB feature would be to see who could photograph their RandBall T in the most exotic and/or interesting locales and/or scenarios. Joker would need to be moderated, of course.

Brad C. says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm

DO NOT DOUBT MY KICK ASS OFFENSE!!!!!

14 POINTS….ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I AM GOD!!!!!!!

Mark says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

Brad,

1st, stop yelling, and 2 if you have such a kick ass offense, why didn’t you go for two to tie the game?

The Hootie says:

October 14th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

@AZGG- I accept your challenge. THH and I are road tripping to Cooperstown this weekend (leaving tomorrow night) and I’m pretty sure I can get a pic of me in my RB t-shirt in Gary, IN. Bet no one will top that!

jama says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

Joker

I’d love to take the bait and say if the Vikings win by more than 14 I will buy a Vikings hat but I have absolutely no faith in the Bears at this point.

The only player left in the Bears secondary is Mike Brown which means hell should soon be frozen over. Plus I still can’t get the images of AP running for 666 yards at Soldier field last year. I have a sneaky suspicion Brad Childress is sick of the whining and is about to unleash the beast. Either that or Subway isn’t agreeing with me.

Jon says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Off-topic: I just saw a scooter get pulled over by a horse.

This kind of thing should happen more often.

If the mounted policeman had then proceeded to chase the scooter driver around while waving a baton to the tune of “Yakety Sax,” my life would have been complete.

Joker says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

newbie
No I will not buy a vikings hat.

roughkat
Never happen (me not wearing a hat ever again)

AZ
I also will accept your challenge. What is the deadline?

Gary says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

I’m pretty sure I can get a pic of me in my RB t-shirt in Gary, IN.

I really don’t think that needed to be emphasized, Hootie. You never even return my calls.

newbie says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

I thought a fun RB feature would be to see who could photograph their RandBall T in the most exotic and/or interesting locales and/or scenario.

But then I would have to wear it in public. What if someone sees me?

jama says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Once I send Rand a check and get my Randball T-Shirt I’m going to start wearing it around the Cities at least once a week. The first person to snap a picture of me wearing the shirt must now cheer for the Bears. Deal?

AZGopherGirl says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

The RandBall T could be the next garden gnome (or Flat Stanley, for those of you with offspring). I see no need to set a time limit - keep bombarding Rand with entries until everyone loses interest, or until I win.

Dave MN says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

AZGG: If you’d challenged me last week, I would have had an engagement picture taken with the t-shirt on. I’m serious. One picture wouldn’t have hurt anyone.

Dave MN says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

I think the funniest part of the RandBall T-shirt is that if we see someone wearing it and don’t recognize them, it means they’re a “lurker”. Or they just haven’t shown their faces at a Redactular or other event (RBFFL draft).

AZGopherGirl says:

October 14th, 2008 at 2:51 pm

Dave - that would have been awesome! Especially if you’d held hands and both gazed lovingly into Rand’s eyes.

Joker says:

October 14th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Dave
You can still wear it under your tux at your wedding. Have her wear only that on your wedding night. Send pictures.

Merx says:

October 14th, 2008 at 3:32 pm

I will wear my Randball T to my brothers wedding, with a pink button down shirt (unbutton of course) while popping my collar of both my pink shirt and suit coat. Did I mention the wedding is in a bowling alley?

UofM2010 says:

October 14th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

DaveMN: or they’re under 21 and can’t take part in such events yet.

/self-sieve

Michael Rand says:

October 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

I love this idea about the shirts and had actually thought of it before but didn’t want to seem like a [redacted] who was a shameless self-promoter. but now that azgg has brought it to the table, expect some sort of formal post about it later.