Truth & Rumors > NFL
New Vikings stadium to end Lynn's controversial suite deal
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09:51 AM ET 06.23 | To Vikings fans of a certain age, Mike Lynn is the dupe responsible for one of the most lopsided trades in sports history. The team's general manager from 1975 to 1990 acquired washed-up running back Herschel Walker from Dallas in 1989 in exchange for five players and seven draft choices -- a transaction that helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. But Lynn was no fool. Early in his tenure as general manager, Lynn negotiated a controversial contract with the Vikings that granted him 10 percent of luxury suite revenue for every event at the Metrodome, starting in 1982, an agreement that still compensates him 22 years after he resigned from the club. Talk about a sweet suite deal. Lynn has rejected at least one buyout offer from subsequent Vikings ownership groups and will continue earning between $700,000 and $1 million each year, the people with direct knowledge said, until the Vikings vacate the Metrodome, most likely in 2014. Lynn's legacy deal with the Vikings has hung like an albatross around the franchise, which ranks 31st among 32 teams in stadium revenue, according to the NFL.
Metrodome, Icon SMI
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Comments (34) Add A Comment
Everyone that cares stand up
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
Mike Lynn...
<runs off laughing>
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30643)
Mike Lynn...
<runs off laughing>
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30643)
The real reporters must be working this weekend.
SteveDallas
Amarillo, TX
Total Comments (2443)
Who's the bigger dupe?
Lynn for the Herschel trade or whoever gave Lynn the Luxury box deal?
TheBone
Total Comments (1317)
Even today it's hard to believe they gave up that much for Herschel
shiprock
Total Comments (11535)
Even today, he continues to cost the Vikes...
Melman
Total Comments (17560)
I can't believe some of the NFL analysts that say Oakland did well with that trade.
Stuart MacDougal
Indianapolis, IN
Total Comments (4172)
And all those owners who have put garbage teams on the field for decades and run off with multi millions every year. Those are the guys the press should report on.
50yearfan
Total Comments (11187)
As a Dallas fan, I got to say I like the guy. That was half a football team. It made Jimmy Johnsons career.
SteveDallas
Amarillo, TX
Total Comments (2443)
The Vikings can add this albatross to their collection. They have more than the Ancient Mariner. It's still shocking to see the numbers on that that trade. Has to go down as the biggest fleece in NFL history.
Jakester
Total Comments (1390)
Youre a genius!
CREEPY FACE !!
Total Comments (22929)
DJ was happy....you sounded thrilled yourself!
CREEPY FACE !!
Total Comments (22929)
You even said Huey shouldve been Coach Of The Year!
CREEPY FACE !!
Total Comments (22929)
Palmer is better than anyone else they had at the time.
ORF
Total Comments (11406)
Can not wait for the new stadium.Metrodump sucks!
MJM38
Anoka , MN
Total Comments (1)
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