BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf took a moment Monday morning to congratulate the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots for reaching Super Bowl LII, which takes center stage Sunday inside the $1.129 billion stadium the Wilf family championed for years prior to its opening in 2016.
He then pivoted briefly to the fans of his own franchise, delivering a promise for years to come.
“They [Vikings fans] are the best fans in the world,” Wilf said. “Wherever we go, we appreciate their support and one day soon, we will get to the Lombardi.”
Eight days removed from Minnesota’s 38-7 loss in the NFC Championship Game, the Wilfs are beginning to move past what could have been after the Vikings came up short of their goal of being the first team to both host and play in the Super Bowl in the same season.
Minnesota is early in the reflection period, according to co-owner Mark Wilf, who did little to dwell on the "amazing experience" it would have been to have his family’s team take center stage in Minneapolis and the surrounding area this week. His brother echoed that same sentiment when asked about the difficulty of moving past the loss.
“We’ve been in the business for 13 years and we have our ups and downs,” Zygi Wilf said. “Sure, it’s a couple days but afterward you look at the future and you realize that we’re at the top of the game and we’ll be knocking at the door many times.”
Speaking to reporters after the Super Bowl host committee news conference, the Wilfs were asked for their reaction to the way Vikings fans were treated at the NFC Championship Game. Several instances of violent behavior were reported from the Jan. 21 game, including a group of Philadelphia fans caught hurling unopened beer cans at Minnesota fans walking through a tailgating lot on their way into Lincoln Financial Field while several players' families complained of harsh treatment from the local crowd.
“Being a former Giants fan, I am familiar with being down in Philadelphia,” Zygi Wilf said, “but Philadelphia is fighting for their first Super Bowl and it's very exciting for them. The fans are very exuberant for their teams, wherever they are. I'm most proud of our Vikings fans, because they really come out everywhere, wherever we go. I have to say that a good part of our success is the fans coming out and supporting us. Year after year, even after these tough losses, to see that passion really energizes me and my family and our team.”
The Mike Zimmer Foundation announced last week that it had received more than $11,000 in donations from Eagles fans apologizing for the way some of the fan base conducted itself.
Asked whether the Vikings would reach out to the NFL to intervene, Zygi Wilf said he would "leave it up to Philadelphia" since the game took place at the Eagles' venue.
The sting of last week’s loss still fresh in their minds, Zygi Wilf said he isn’t sure who Vikings fans will cheer for in Super Bowl LII and isn’t bothered about seeing the Eagles play on his home field.
“Faced the Eagles many times in the past as a Giants fan,” Zygi Wilf said. “I wish both teams well and most important have a really competitive game so that all fans out there can really enjoy the type of games that we've had the past few years, which have been unbelievable.”
The Wilfs, who served on the committee to bring the Super Bowl to the "Bold North," will get to see U.S. Bank Stadium emerge into the national and international spotlight this week. Bringing the Super Bowl to Minnesota for the first time since 1992 is the just the beginning for an ownership aiming to host the NFL draft in the future.
“Sure, absolutely,” Zygi Wilf said. “We're going to be building a new facility. We have a great place to do that, or do it in the stadium. We have a lot of great places to do that. Yes, I would do that.”
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