The Minnesota Vikings recently opened a $125 million suburban headquarters and practice facility, a corporate park designed to give the team a competitive edge.
But the new complex is also something else. It's a springboard for the larger Viking Lakes commercial development on 200 acres, with a four-star hotel, medical offices, restaurants and stores. The team's principal owner, Zygi Wilf, who made his fortune as a residential real estate developer, is spearheading the project.
The Carolina Panthers may follow his lead.
At his introductory news conference after buying the Panthers for $2.275 billion, new owner David Tepper mentioned a secondary "development" that a league insider said could be a new headquarters and practice center — and possibly a commercial real estate project surrounding it.