Viking ‘Ship’ Will Be Erected Outside New Stadium

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Vikings expect an addition to the plaza outside the new stadium in Minneapolis will be a showstopper.

The Vikings plan to construct a huge Nordic ship with a 43-foot-high dragon head and 55-foot-high video board sail. The $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium is currently under construction.

Team officials say the ship will be similar to one outside the team's Winter Park headquarters and will sit on the three-acre plaza outside the new stadium. Vikings vice president Tanya Dreesen says the ship will be privately funded. Dreesen says when team officials were considering options for the plaza, they were looking for a "showstopper."