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'It could hurt us'
Scouts can pay admission to watch Vikes' practices
Posted: Tuesday July 19, 2005 7:34PM; Updated: Tuesday July 19, 2005 7:34PMEDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- Mike Tice won't be surprised if he sees scouts from opposing teams during training camp.
Greater Mankato Training Camp LLC has decided to charge admission: $5 for practices Sunday through Friday, and $10 on Saturdays.
League rules state that scouts from other teams cannot attend free practices, however if a team charges admission scouts can buy a ticket and watch. League spokesman Greg Aiello said the Vikings are the only team charging for practices this year.
"It is something, [NFL] scouts attending practice, that could hurt us as it pertains to personnel," Tice told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The Washington Commanders were the last team to charge for admission to practices, in 2000. The fee was to help pay for expanding the practice facility, but the team abandoned the idea in 2001 after finding a Dallas Cowboys scout took notes on each practice.
"It brings another problem for the Vikings, and we know that. But they did not tell us not to charge," said Paul Wilke, president of Greater Mankato Training Camp LLC.
Wilke said the admission fee will help offset operating costs of the fair-like atmosphere around training camp called Vikings Village, which last year included food, music and games. Attendance last year was about 71,000.
Wilke said he would listen to the team if it wanted to get rid of the entrance fee, even though Wilke's group has already paid for advertising and printed tickets.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/specials/preview/2005/07/19/vikings.ap/index.html
Scouts can pay admission to watch Vikes' practices
Posted: Tuesday July 19, 2005 7:34PM; Updated: Tuesday July 19, 2005 7:34PMEDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- Mike Tice won't be surprised if he sees scouts from opposing teams during training camp.
Greater Mankato Training Camp LLC has decided to charge admission: $5 for practices Sunday through Friday, and $10 on Saturdays.
League rules state that scouts from other teams cannot attend free practices, however if a team charges admission scouts can buy a ticket and watch. League spokesman Greg Aiello said the Vikings are the only team charging for practices this year.
"It is something, [NFL] scouts attending practice, that could hurt us as it pertains to personnel," Tice told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The Washington Commanders were the last team to charge for admission to practices, in 2000. The fee was to help pay for expanding the practice facility, but the team abandoned the idea in 2001 after finding a Dallas Cowboys scout took notes on each practice.
"It brings another problem for the Vikings, and we know that. But they did not tell us not to charge," said Paul Wilke, president of Greater Mankato Training Camp LLC.
Wilke said the admission fee will help offset operating costs of the fair-like atmosphere around training camp called Vikings Village, which last year included food, music and games. Attendance last year was about 71,000.
Wilke said he would listen to the team if it wanted to get rid of the entrance fee, even though Wilke's group has already paid for advertising and printed tickets.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/specials/preview/2005/07/19/vikings.ap/index.html
