Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf yesterday said that Minnesota fans “don’t need to be nervous about the NFL stadium momentum” in L.A. Wilf said, “We’ve got momentum here in Arden Hills.” He was “chitchatting with 18 Ramsey County officials on the field during the Vikings’ morning practice,” as the team “invited the policymakers and civic leaders down for a tour and lunch.” Wilf also “disclosed for the first time that he met with Gov. Mark Dayton last week” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/11).
WELCOME ABOARD: In S.F., Eric Young reports the Warriors yesterday announced venture capital fund The Social+Capital Partnership Managing Partner Chamath Palihapitiya as the “newest member of the executive board.” Palihapitiya is a former Senior Manager at Facebook, and his addition brings the team’s ownership group to “eight members, led by venture capitalist Joe Lacob and Peter Guber” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/10).
CUT! In Ft. Lauderdale, Andrew Carter notes “recent portions of Dolphins' practices have shown up on YouTube, presumably shot by a fan in attendance.” Dolphins Senior VP/Media Relations Harvey Greene yesterday “asked fans who attend the team's open practices not to post video of the practices on the Internet.” Greene said, "We have rules in place that don't allow fans to take video of practice. Those rules exist so that we're not placed at a competitive disadvantage by having the teams we play see video of any portion of our practices" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/11).
THREE CHEERS: In Houston, Richard Justice wrote Texans Owner Bob McNair is “a model NFL owner,” and he “hires people he trusts and gives them the resources and freedom to do their jobs.” Justice: “He’s as patient as any professional sports owner I’ve ever known. Regardless, I think ... many of us feel really lucky that Bob McNair owns our NFL team.” McNair “wants a team that represents the community in a certain way,” and the Texans “are going to have players who are easy to root for” (CHRON.com, 8/10).
