The Vikings announced yesterday that they have "not been able to reach a new contract agreement with Joe Juranitch," the man who played the team's Ragnar mascot for the last 21 years, according to Jon Krawczynski of the AP. A source said that Juranitch "was asking for $20,000 per game over the next 10 years." Juranitch "made about $1,500 a game last season." A bearded Juranitch has "led the Vikings out of the tunnel on his motorcycle during pregame introductions, wearing a horned helmet and furs" since '94. However, when the Vikings hosted the Lions on Sunday in their home opener, he "was nowhere to be found." Juranitch was an "independent contractor and not an official member of the organization." Since '07, he has "shared the spotlight in Minnesota with Viktor, the team's official mascot" (AP, 9/21). Vikings Exec Dir of Communications Jeff Anderson in a statement said that after his "contract expired in the offseason, the team had 'multiple conversations' with Juranitch but 'has not been able to reach an agreement.'" In St. Paul, Marino Eccher notes Jurantich "broke the news himself in a Facebook post Sunday, posting a picture of himself in costume, watching the game on TV at home, holding a battle ax and looking forlorn" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 9/22). In Minneapolis, Michael Rand in a front-page piece writes it is clear that Ragnar "has a devoted following -- as evidenced by a petition to have him reinstated" at Change.org (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/22).
THE TALK OF TWITTER: Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith wrote on his Twitter feed, "I honestly have no idea what the fair market rate is for a guy to dress up like a Viking and ride a motorcycle. But less than $20K a day. BBC Sport's feed posted, "Have you heard the one about the #NFL mascot who wanted a £1.3m pay rise?" ESPN Chicago's Jon Greenberg: "Ragnar wanted that long @ClarktheCub money." FS1's Peter Schrager: "Ragnar and Kam Chancellor having dinner somewhere tonight." ESPN Radio 103.3 Dallas' Ted Emrich: "If only Rowdy would be inspired to demand $20K a game from the Cowboys."
