In St. Paul, Dane Mizutani reported Wild Owner Craig Leipold sent an email to full-time employees on Friday "assuring that everyone will be retained at full pay and benefits through April." The "only exception" is a pay reduction of 20% for compensation above $150,000 a year (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/28). Meanwhile, also in St. Paul, Chris Tomasson reported the Vikings have "extended the deadline for final season-ticket payments to June 1" instead of the original deadline of April 16. The Vikings sent a message to all season-ticket holders "wishing them to remain 'safe and healthy during these difficult times.'” The message stated that the Vikings “'have every expectation of playing a full schedule in 2020' and that the franchise will continue to provide any further updates" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/28).
DEVILS SHOULD GO AHEAD: In N.Y., Larry Brooks wrote there should be "nothing standing in the way of the Devils hiring a new GM now if they are not committed to giving interim man Tom Fitzgerald the job on a permanent basis." If the team is "looking elsewhere, then the sooner the better for bringing in the new man so he can assimilate into the organization." Sources said that former Canucks GM Mike Gillis "has been interviewed twice, both times believed to have been before the March 12 shutdown" (N.Y. POST, 3/29).
METS SALE STILL ON: THE ATHLETIC's Daniel Kaplan reported the sale of the Mets is "formally ongoing." Team adviser Allen & Co. is "still calling around trying to drum up business." The team added that the statement it issued in February after the reported sale to Steve Cohen fell through "is intact" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/27).
