Wilf to be Vikings owner (all but a done deal)

[sovereignstar]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5420943.html

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Zygi Wilf will be the new owner of the Minnesota Vikings, but some "logistical" and "paperwork" issues might hold up the final approval by the NFL's owners, the head of the league's Finance Committee said today.

Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and head of the powerful Finance Committee, said that Wilf, 55, a New Jersey real estate developer, is "an outstanding" addition to the league.

But Benson, Vikings president Gary Woods and another member of the Finance Committee, Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, said technical matters tied to the closing date of the sale might hold up a formal vote of the league's 32 owners at these annual spring meetings, which are underway today and Wednesday.

Benson, who confirmed that the sale price is $600 million, said, "There are no roadblocks."

Woods said, "It's gonna get done."

And NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the Finance Committee was already working on a resolution of approval for the sale from Red McCombs to Wilf and his partners.

But Wilf and Woods are set to meet tonight or Wednesday morning to iron out final details, Woods said.

Wilf didn't attend meetings today. Benson said Wilf's wife, Audrey, was undergoing surgery.

Whether all the final I's are dotted and T's crossed in time for the owners to vote by Wednesday afternoon remains to be seen.

Jay Weiner is at [email protected].
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Amen. Would still be nice to see the Timberwolves Owner, Glen Taylor, involved in some fashion, but that doesn't look likely. The thought is that having a local partner would be more attractive to stadium lawmakers.

[JeeberD]

Zygi?

[cartman]

I know what ILF stands for, but what does the W mean, an upside down M?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by cartman

I know what ILF stands for, but what does the W mean, an upside down M?

Upon further thinking .. it's best I don't start throwing out potential meanings.

[Franklinnoble]

Eh. Can't be much worse than Red McCombs.

[WSUCougar]

Ground control to Major Tice...

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by cartman

I know what ILF stands for, but what does the W mean, an upside down M?

Wife

[gottimd]

From the title, I thought Wilfredo Cordero bought the Vikings.

[AZSpeechCoach]

What happened to the black guy from Arizona? I thought he had a done deal.

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by AZSpeechCoach

What happened to the black guy from Arizona? I thought he had a done deal.

He never had the money to be the head honcho. Last I heard is that Reggie Fowler will still have a large say in the decision-making. He did put down some sort of nonrefundable payment (part of the application process), so that's part of the reason.

[sovereignstar]

Just found this in the Pioneer Press:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twinci...s/11721393.htm

According to a person close to the negotiations, Fowler had enough money to cover the mandatory 30 percent required of a general partner — $150 million — but he did not have enough liquidity. Fowler, though, contributed $30 million to $50 million to be a limited partner, the source said.

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by AZSpeechCoach

What happened to the black guy from Arizona? I thought he had a done deal.

They fired him.

[AZSpeechCoach]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

He never had the money to be the head honcho. Last I heard is that Reggie Fowler will still have a large say in the decision-making. He did put down some sort of nonrefundable payment (part of the application process), so that's part of the reason.

Gotcha

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by General Mike

Wife

Wookies?

*sigh*