Vikings Might Have Deal in Place for New Owner

The Minnesota Vikings are on the verge of being sold in a deal that would transfer the franchise from Red McCombs to the NFL’s first black owner, Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler, according to several media reports.

Phoenix radio station XTRA-AM first reported Sunday that Fowler had reached an agreement to buy the team for $625 million and an announcement would be made today at the team’s headquarters.

Minnesota Timberwolf owner Glen Taylor, who has also made an offer to buy the team, said Sunday he hadn’t heard from McCombs since his proposal nearly two weeks ago.

“I was given a message that they were going to respond, and then they didn’t,” Taylor said before the Timberwolves’ game against Chicago. “That’s when I started to assume that they already had something with Reggie.... And I’ve heard and I think some other people have heard that it’s 625 [million], and our offer was not in that area.”

Viking spokesman Bob Hagan said Sunday night he knew of no plans for an announcement. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.

The agreement was also reported on ESPN.com, KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities, and the Star Tribune newspaper’s website.

McCombs bought the Vikings in 1998. Since then, they have sold out every home game and have made the playoffs in four of those seven seasons.