South To North

If fans of the Minnesota Vikings already bought their season tickets hoping to sit behind the home team, they might be a bit disappointed right about now. The Vikings sideline was on the south side of the Metrodome. That stadium was blown up this past winter to make room for a spiffy new stadium. While the spiffy new stadium is being built the Vikings will play at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings have decided to move their bench to the north sideline of their temporary home. The change from the south sideline to the north sideline was made by the Vikings staff, including general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer, after several visits to TCF Bank Stadium.

There was a reason behind this sideline switch. The press box and club seating on the south end of TCF Bank Stadium creates a shadow over the south sideline late in the season for the University of Minnesota. The Gophers occupy the south sideline during home games. The shadow spills over the field and eventually creeps over to the north sideline later in the game. Switching to the north sideline will create a more comfortable environment for the Vikings. They will be able to stay in the sun longer during those cold home games late in the season.

If fans picked seats based on the assumption that the Vikings will be on the south sideline, they will be disappointed. If they are disappointed, the Vikings will work with them so that they may be happy again.

There once was a time when the Minnesota Vikings and their opponent occupied the same sideline. That was the last time that they played their games outdoors. That was when they played at Metropolitan Stadium. That stadium was replaced by a gigantic mall.