Vikings owner issues statement:
Posted on Fri, Oct. 14th
Vikings owner: Players will face punishment if involved in sex party
SEAN JENSEN
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf apologized on behalf of the organization today for his players? role in an alleged sex party Oct. 6 on two chartered boats on Lake Minnetonka.
Wilf insisted he will dole out punishments for those involved.
Once the investigation is completed, Wilf said he will punish the players with fines and/or suspensions, although he did not say whether termination was an option. He added that there will be ?no exceptions? for players involved.
?Today marks a new day, a new era, a new season for this team,? Wilf said. ?Lack of discipline will no longer be tolerated at any level. The events of the past week are unacceptable.
?The behavior exhibited lately by members of this organization does not reflect the values of this community. Minnesotans are fine individuals, with a strong moral center, and high standards for the people who would be role models for their families. I feel that as an organization, we have let them down. And for that, I apologize.
?You have my promise, I will do everything in my power to ensure that unacceptable behavior does not occur ever again.?
Wilf said he has no regrets about purchasing the club and that he intends to make the team a ?multi-generational? investment. He also said he implemented a new code of conduct to reflect the way he runs his own family?s multi-billion dollar real estate company, noting that the standards will be ?higher than the NFL?s.?
?This code of conduct will establish a new set of rules,? Wilf said. ?It will allow our franchise to operate in the same fashion as my family business, one of high standards, high morals and success.?
Wilf also apologized and said commitment to observe Yom Kippur prevented him from addressing the issue earlier.
Wilf addressed the players Friday morning, expressing his embarrassment and stressing the new standards for the team. Wilf, though, did not detail the code of conduct.
Wilf is scheduled to speak to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and he already has apologized to governor Tim Pawlenty this morning.
Asked about the timing of this scandal as the team aggressively lobbies for stadium support, Wilf said, ?First, let me say that we have to focus ? on the rebuilding of our team.
?And that is my focus as of this moment, and for the weeks ahead.?
Wilf said he does not know the extent of the allegations but said that the allegations alone ?cause me embarrassment.?
Wilf stated his continued support of coach Mike Tice, saying he will only hold responsible those who were directly involved.
?This is a great organization, and there are so many good people who work for the Vikings, who deserve to work for a class organization,? Wilf said. ?This franchise is a valuable asset to the state of Minnesota, as I stated many times before. And it is my responsibility to ensure that it returns to respectability and glory.?
Wilf confirmed that the NFL is investigating the matter, and he insisted the team will ?cooperate fully? with all authorities.
?If there was any sense that we would look the other way regarding this type of behavior, I want to make it extremely clear that this behavior will never be tolerated again,? he said. ?I will build a first-class franchise, both on and off the field, that?s known for its class, integrity and character. Period.?
Posted on Fri, Oct. 14th
Vikings owner: Players will face punishment if involved in sex party
SEAN JENSEN
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf apologized on behalf of the organization today for his players? role in an alleged sex party Oct. 6 on two chartered boats on Lake Minnetonka.
Wilf insisted he will dole out punishments for those involved.
Once the investigation is completed, Wilf said he will punish the players with fines and/or suspensions, although he did not say whether termination was an option. He added that there will be ?no exceptions? for players involved.
?Today marks a new day, a new era, a new season for this team,? Wilf said. ?Lack of discipline will no longer be tolerated at any level. The events of the past week are unacceptable.
?The behavior exhibited lately by members of this organization does not reflect the values of this community. Minnesotans are fine individuals, with a strong moral center, and high standards for the people who would be role models for their families. I feel that as an organization, we have let them down. And for that, I apologize.
?You have my promise, I will do everything in my power to ensure that unacceptable behavior does not occur ever again.?
Wilf said he has no regrets about purchasing the club and that he intends to make the team a ?multi-generational? investment. He also said he implemented a new code of conduct to reflect the way he runs his own family?s multi-billion dollar real estate company, noting that the standards will be ?higher than the NFL?s.?
?This code of conduct will establish a new set of rules,? Wilf said. ?It will allow our franchise to operate in the same fashion as my family business, one of high standards, high morals and success.?
Wilf also apologized and said commitment to observe Yom Kippur prevented him from addressing the issue earlier.
Wilf addressed the players Friday morning, expressing his embarrassment and stressing the new standards for the team. Wilf, though, did not detail the code of conduct.
Wilf is scheduled to speak to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and he already has apologized to governor Tim Pawlenty this morning.
Asked about the timing of this scandal as the team aggressively lobbies for stadium support, Wilf said, ?First, let me say that we have to focus ? on the rebuilding of our team.
?And that is my focus as of this moment, and for the weeks ahead.?
Wilf said he does not know the extent of the allegations but said that the allegations alone ?cause me embarrassment.?
Wilf stated his continued support of coach Mike Tice, saying he will only hold responsible those who were directly involved.
?This is a great organization, and there are so many good people who work for the Vikings, who deserve to work for a class organization,? Wilf said. ?This franchise is a valuable asset to the state of Minnesota, as I stated many times before. And it is my responsibility to ensure that it returns to respectability and glory.?
Wilf confirmed that the NFL is investigating the matter, and he insisted the team will ?cooperate fully? with all authorities.
?If there was any sense that we would look the other way regarding this type of behavior, I want to make it extremely clear that this behavior will never be tolerated again,? he said. ?I will build a first-class franchise, both on and off the field, that?s known for its class, integrity and character. Period.?
