Vikings Deny Rumors That They Are Close To Sale Of Team

McCombs Still Waiting For Right Offer For Vikings

Indications are that negotiations have “resumed, if not intensified” for Vikings suitor Reggie Fowler to purchase the team from Owner Red McCombs, according to Tom Pelissero of Minneapolis-based KFAN.com. Several sources said that Fowler “met with McCombs on Tuesday in San Antonio, though those reports could not be confirmed.” KFAN-AM’s Greg Coleman cited sources as saying that a “deal with Fowler was closer than ever.” Fowler, who owns Arizona-based real estate development and aviations simulator manufacturing company Spiral Inc., would be the first African-American majority owner in NFL history. Twin Cities-based auto dealer Denny Hecker is believed to be part of Fowler’s group (KFAN.com, 1/18). Vikings President Gary Woods said that “no potential buyer has moved beyond the ‘exploratory stage.” Woods: “We continue to talk to Reggie and his people, and a lot of other people. But there’s nothing to report” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/19). Woods characterized the phone conversations he has had with Fowler over the past month as “nothing substantive” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/19).

GROUP MENTALITY: In St. Paul, Charley Walters writes Fowler’s group is “willing to overpay Red McCombs for the team, which has been for sale for $600[M].” But there are questions “whether Fowler has enough personal wealth for the NFL to approve a sale.” However, two of Fowler’s investors “own the largest amount of minority stock” in the Yankees and are “said to be worth more than” McCombs, T’Wolves Owner Glen Taylor and Twins Owner Carl Pohlad combined. Meanwhile, Gateway Founder & Chair Ted Waitt, who “initially was to be a partner with Fowler, on Tuesday was said to be bidding against Fowler.” Taylor, who is also interested in purchasing the Vikings, has no plans to partner with Fowler (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/19).