The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football franchise based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the NFC North division. As of 2025, the team plays its home games at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Ownership Status of the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are privately owned, not by a single individual but by the Wilf family, with Zygi Wilf as the chairman and lead owner. Ownership is shared among several family members, with Zygi Wilf, Mark Wilf, and Leonard Wilf being the primary voice in leadership.
Here is the list of Key Owners / Co-Owners:-
| Name | Role / Title | Background / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zygi Wilf | Chairman & Lead Owner | Real estate developer; born in 1950; lead figure in the purchase of the Vikings in 2005. He is the major stakeholder in the Wilf family ownership group. |
| Mark Wilf | President & Co‐Owner | Zygi’s younger brother; handles much of the public/business side of the Vikings’ operations. He is often the family’s spokesperson. |
| Leonard Wilf | Vice Chairman & Co-Owner | Cousin of Zygi and Mark; also involved in the family’s real estate enterprises. Holds a stake in the Vikings and plays a role in governance. |
Timeline: How the Wilf Family Acquired the Vikings
- Pre-2005 Ownership: The Vikings were owned by Red McCombs from 1998 until the mid-2000s. Earlier owners included various syndicates, individuals, and groups.
- Sale to Wilf Family: In 2005, the Wilf family (Zygi Wilf, Mark Wilf, Leonard Wilf) acquired the Minnesota Vikings. Red McCombs sold the team; the Wilf family became the controlling owners.
- Current Ownership: Since the purchase in 2005, the Wilfs have maintained ownership. In 2025, Zygi Wilf remains Chairman & lead owner; Mark Wilf is president and the public face in many team matters.
Ownership Style & Management Approach
- The Wilf family uses a family-led leadership structure, but with distributed responsibilities: different family members are involved in different aspects of the franchise.
- Zygi Wilf is the more senior figure, but Mark Wilf often handles day-to-day business operations and public relations.
- The family has also emphasized “multigenerational” ownership — grooming the next generation and expanding involvement of children of the owners in organizational roles.
Recent Developments
- In 2025, the Vikings are in their 21st season under Zygi Wilf’s ownership.
- Mark Wilf has expressed interest in bringing major NFL events (e.g. the NFL Draft) to Minnesota.
- The organization also continues investing in both the football side (coaching, general management) and business side under the Wilf leadership.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the Minnesota Vikings?
Zygi Wilf is the chairman and lead owner. The team is co-owned by Mark Wilf (president) and Leonard Wilf (vice chairman), among other family members.
2. Did the ownership ever change recently?
No. The Wilf family has owned the team since 2005 and there have been no reports of major ownership changes as of mid-2025.
3. Is the Vikings ownership publicly traded?
No. The Vikings are privately held by the Wilf family—not a publicly traded company.
4. What is the significance of the Wilf family’s leadership?
They have provided stability, made long-term investments (stadium, infrastructure), and built a governance structure to involve multiple family members. They incorporate a “hands-off” but informed involvement strategy in daily operations.