The Minnesota Vikings’ first regular season game in their new stadium will be against the Green Bay Packers on September 18. Undoubtedly, there will be a contingent of Packers fans going to what should be an exciting event.
Maybe more exciting than they think.
We’ve already touched upon the new facility – how it came about when the old Metrodome roof kept caving in and how butt-ugly the new place is. Plus, there was the idiotic design idea of putting a rock bed next to some giant glass windows. We’re sure you know how that turned out.
In a charitable moment, however, we expressed relief that visiting Packers fans should at least not have to worry about whether the building is still holding up.
It now looks like we might have spoken too soon.
I just noticed an NBC Sports story from early July titled “Storm damages exterior panels at new Vikings Stadium.” During a routine summer rainstorm, it seems several large exterior panels came loose.
According to the article, stadium officials “couldn’t explain the situation,” but promised to reinstall the panels unless it turns out they need to be replaced.
A Vikings VP gave assurances that no panels had fallen yet, and that they’d “get to the bottom of it.”
Our advice to Packers fans planning on buying tickets to the game: consider taking out some short-term life insurance at the same time.