We don’t know yet when the Minnesota Vikings’ stadium will be ready to go for 2011, and we don’t even know when the NFL as a whole will be ready to go for 2011. But we do know when the Vikings want their fans to pay up for season tickets: Now.
Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com reports that the Vikings want payments in advance even if the NFL enters a work stoppage, even though it’s not clear whether the home schedule will start at the Metrodome or at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium, and even though it’s possible that a work stoppage will cause games in 2011 to be canceled.
The Vikings sent a letter to season-ticket holders informing them that the first payment is due on February 23. In a curious way to spin a disappointing 2010, the letter referred to the season as “one of the most eventful, yet unexpected seasons in our 50-year history.”
One piece of good news: The letter informed fans that ticket prices won’t be going up. The Vikings also say that tickets will be refunded if games are canceled.
The letter also features a statement that looks like an attempt to break the NFL record for most cliches in one paragraph: “We resolve to run around, through and over any team that stands in our way. To play every down like it’s 4th and inches. To feed the hot hand and feed off of the roar of the 12th man. To never let Sunday be a day of rest for our opponents. To keep our eyes and our hearts on the prize. To always remember we’re playing for the greatest fans in the world.”
And that’s how the Vikings will try to get the fans fired up about forking over their money.
UPDATE: The statement was initially reported as a quote from Vikings coach Leslie Frazier. We’ve now been told that the statement came from the team but not from Frazier.
