YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES
Before joining our Access Vikings team, Dan Wiederer covered Atlantic Coast Conference basketball for the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer and was named North Carolina's top sports columnist in 2010. His previous reporting experience includes covering the Chicago Bears. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
AUSTIN, MINN. -- The Vikings just wrapped up their luncheon at the Hormel Home here before a capacity crowd that I would estimate at 200-plus. It's amazing how much fun everyone has and how many laughs there are to be had when a team is 9-1. Even if the 9-1 team is frustrated in its quest for a new stadium.
One of the interesting things about the luncheon, and you will see more on this later in the Star Tribune, was owner Zygi Wilf talking about the stadium situation. Wilf seemed as comfortable talking about the subject as I have ever seen him.
Here are a few of his responses:
On retrofitting the Metrodome: "It would be very difficult. The building has been there for 30 years and I'm sure if you have been there lately you realize why the Twins and Gophers wanted to get out. People can't really enjoy the game and have to wait in line for food. We've certainly looked into doing that but ultimately realized that for the long-term viability of the franchise and fan experience we needed to make a move ahead into the 21st Century and build a stadium that all can enjoy and be proud of. The Metrodome has served a great purpose for the entire community for all the events that it held."
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