Helped by two extensions, Minnesota Vikings sell out playoff game against Eagles and avoid TV blackout
By Sean Jensen
sjensen@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 01/03/2009 11:46:36 PM CST
The Vikings sold out their 115th consecutive game in dramatic fashion Saturday, requiring two extensions from the NFL to avoid the first locally blacked-out game since the 1997 regular-season finale.
"We're all set," said Steve LaCroix, the Vikings' vice president of sales and marketing. "We're sold out, and on TV, so it's a win-win for all the fans.
"Our fans really rallied down the stretch."
The Vikings had 20,000 unsold tickets Monday, not an entirely surprising number given their late entry into the playoffs. It also is the Vikings' first playoff game at the Metrodome since January 2001.
But the Miami Dolphins were in a similar position earlier in the week and sold their remaining 25,000 tickets by midday Monday.
The Vikings whittled the number to 11,000 by Wednesday and 8,000 on Thursday. But they required an extra extension from the NFL to sell the final 3,100 by Saturday afternoon.
Still, LaCroix said about 500 or 600 tickets remain, many of them returned by the Philadelphia Eagles. Tickets are available for $50, after only $80, $120 and $160 tickets were available Friday.
The Arizona Cardinals also needed two extensions to sell out their game Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons. But Phoenix-based Leslie's Swimming Pool Supplies purchased a large block of tickets to assist the Cardinals, giving two tickets to customers who spend $100 or more at its stores.
The Vikings received no such help, LaCroix said.
"There was no corporate
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or network buyout," he said.
Given the Vikings' issues, the Eagles posted the following message on their Web site: "Let's paint Minneapolis green."
LaCroix said there is no way to track how many Eagles fans will be at the game.
"But I think we're confident that purple will dominate and really make a difference," he said. "I think it'll be really loud. It should make for a neat atmosphere."
Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said Friday that he would be disappointed if Eagles fans packed the Metrodome.
"But it's not going to stop us," he said. "I'll be disappointed because, me personally, I appreciate the fans that show up, because that's why we have a job. Whoever does show up, we're going to play our (expletives) off for you, and it's going to be a hell of a game."
Minnesota clinched a late entry into the postseason Sunday by defeating the New York Giants to win the NFC North Division. But the Vikings' sales and marketing department has been selling tickets for possible playoff games for weeks.
On Dec. 1, the Vikings asked their 55,000 season-ticket holders to renew their seats for the postseason by Dec. 19, when the Vikings had two games remaining. Only 55 percent of them did.
This week, the Vikings hired additional staff and contracted with a telephone call center to hawk more seats. Ticketmaster blasted e-mail pitches to 1.2 million customers.
"It was a full team effort," LaCroix, noting an assist from players. "Obviously, it would be ideal to sell out on Monday, in one day. But it worked out."
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