Vikes Views: Favorite Vikings Owner

Welcome to the All-Time Favorite Viking Team series. We’re going through and voting by position for your favorite Minnesota Vikings. We’ve completed the on the field portion and coaching, so now we’re at the front office. It’s our final piece. The person at the top. Now that the team is set, who would you want to own it?

Bill Boyer (1961-1972)

Team Record: 82-79-7 (50.9%) / 2-4 (33.3%)

Boyer was part of the group that started the Vikings. They applied to the NFL after the Houston franchise backed out and went to the AFL. Boyer was Presient from 1960 – 1965 and then VP until his death in 1973. He is credited with helping start the Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.

Max Winter (1961-1988)

Team Record: 218-179-9 (54.8%) / 13-14 (48.1%)

Winter was Co-Onwer with Boyer until he took over as Principal Owner after Boyer’s death. He was a part of all four Super Bowls and over 400 regular season games. He was also part owner of the Minneapolis Lakers with Ben Berger, Sid Hartman, and Morris Chalfen. Winter’s exit from the team was messy and ended up in the Minnesota Supreme Court. Twins owner Carl Pohlad, former GM Mike Lynn, Roger Headrick and several others.

Roger Headrick/CarlPohlad/Irwin Jacobs Group (1989-1997)

Team Record: 80-64 (55.6%) / 1-7 (12.5%)

This ownership tenure was riddle with lawsuits, potential sales, and controversry. The block Brian Billick and Fage Fozio from interviewing after the 1997 season. They then agree to see to Tom Clancey, but Roger Headrick sued claiming right of first refusal. The league sided with Clancy, but then Tom Clancy’s divorce proceedings led him to withdraw. That led to Red McCombs adding an additional $50M to the sale price and purchasing the team in July 1998.

Red McCombs (1998-2004)

Team Record: 64-48 (57.1%) / 4-4 (50%)

Billy Joe “Red” McCombs once tired to move the team to Texas. If he’s your favorite owner, you’re not a fan of Minnesota. HE tried to move the team after failing to get funding for a new stadium. McCombs has owned the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Vikings for short periods of time.

The Wilf Family (2005 – present)

Team Record: 175-147-2 (54.0%) / 3-8 (27.3%)

When you look at this poll it’s really a competition between Max Winer and the Wilf Family. The Wilds came in after the disaster of Red McCombs. They worked on getting a new stadium for 7 years until 2012 and then opening in 2016. The Wilfs also own MLS’ Orlando City SC and NWSL’s Orlando Pride along with their home stadium Exploria Stadium. The Wilfs started off with the Triangle of Authority and realized after a while it wasn’t the best format. They entrusted Rick Spielman with personnel and now have transitioned to Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

General Manager –

Head Coach – Bud Grant (1967-1983, 1985)

Defensive Coordinator – Brian Flores (2023-present)

Offensive Coordinator – Jerry Burns (1968-1985)

Defensive Tackles – Alan Page (1967-1978) & John Randle (1990-2000)

Defensive Ends – Carl Eller (1964-1978) & Jared Allen (2008-2013)

Safety – Harrison Smith (2012-present) & Paul Krause (1968-1979)

Cornerbacks – Antoine Winfield (2004-2012) & Bobby Bryant (1967-1980)

Outside Linebackers – Matt Blair (1974-1985) & Chad Greenway (2006-2016)

Inside Linebacker – Scott Studwell (1977-1990)

Kick Returner – Cordarelle Patterson (2013-2016)

Punter – Greg Coleman (1978-1987)

Kicker – Fred Cox (1963-1977)

Running Back – Adrian Peterson (2007-2016)

Quarterback – Fran Tarkenton (1961-1966, 1972-1978)

Wide Receivers – Randy Moss (1998-2004, 2010) & Cris Carter (1990-2001)

Tight Ends – Steve Jordan (1982-1994) & Jim Kleinsasser (1999-2011)

Offensive Tackles – Ron Yary (1968-1981) & Gary Zimmerman (1986-1992)

Offensive Guards – Randall McDaniel (1988-1999) & Steve Hutchinson (2006-2011)

Center – Mick Tingelhoff (1962-1978)

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