Vikings Owner Talks to the Media – Expects a Division Title This Season

Vikings owner Zyig Wilf addressed the media this week, marking the start of the eighth of Wilf ownership and tackling a number of topics surrounding the team and new stadium.

Zygi talked extensively about plans for the new stadium, stating they still have thousands of things to do before breaking ground. The ownership is working with consultants, designers, architects, and others on planning; but don’t have a firm start date for the project. At this time, Zygi feels as though the first visible steps in building a new stadium may take place within the next year. This would put things in line to have the new stadium’s inaugural season in 2016.

In the short term, the team is a few weeks away from starting the 2012 season and Zygi had plenty to say about his impressions of this year’s squad. He feels confident in the group, saying he sees a lot of energy and youthfulness in the group with the veterans doing a great job of teaching the young guys.

This enthusiasm has Zygi feeling ambitious about this season, avoiding the word “rebuilding”, and going as far as setting an aggressive expectation for the season, saying:

I expect to be division champs. I want to be able to fight for the division as we always do every year, and get better for years to come. That’s always been our goal. That’s been the goal since the first day I came here.

Zygi’s confidence extends to his feelings about head coach Leslie Frazier, saying he is very happy with the hard work he and Rick Spielman have done in making the team better. He also said he is happy with Frazier’s determination and competitive nature. When asked if there are any benchmarks for Frazier this season, Zygi had the following to say:

I’m not making any benchmarks. I’m expecting a winning season. Like I said I’m expecting to challenge for the division. Everyone starts out zero-zero, even score, so, I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.