Vikings enlist Jared Allen to help with stadium push
Posted by Mike Florio on April 23, 2010 1:17 PM ET
As the Vikings tried in January 2009 to sell out their first home playoff game in eight years, defensive end Jared Allen shot a video encouraging fans to pony up their Christmas "cashish". (His more recent video was slightly more entertaining.) Now, the Vikings are enlisting Allen to assist with the push for a new stadium.

According to Mike Kaszuba of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Allen has "become something of a poster child" for the effort. He has made at least two appearances at legislative gatherings, signing purple-and-gold footballs -- and hopefully not threatening to break anyone's "f--king neck."

Also, Vikings officials have launched a grass-roots effort aimed at securing a deal for partial public financing. Dubbed "Minnesota Momentum," the Vikings are offering a chance for free game tickets to folks who sign up to be "recruiters" for the cause.

The Vikings hope to push an acceptable plan through the Minnesota legislature during its current session, which ends in May. Absent a new stadium, the Vikings become geographic free agents after the 2011 season.

Hopefully, the powers-that-be in the Twin Cities eventually will realize that this means, absent a new local home, the team could go shopping for a new home in a new town.

"PFTalk" wrote:

I wonder.. if the Vikings do move... will the Viking fans left behind:

A. Remain Viking Fans.
B. Turn to another franchise.
C. Embrace the Green and Gold in their hatred of the abandoning Vikes.

"pack93z" wrote:

I'd be upset a bit if Viking fans like vikesrule and Formo left us.

But I could care less where the Vikings go.

If Minnesota cares about its economy, it should focus on increasing the productivity of its people and its capital stock. Not on something as unimportant as a pro football stadium and having enough luxury boxes.

"Wade" wrote: