20 Nov 2015
Minnesota Vikings set sail with replica ship featuring 2,000sq ft LED screen
BY Matthew Campelli
A 2,000sq ft (186sq m) curved LED screen will be one of the features of a giant stylised ship which is due to be built outside the home of the Minnesota Vikings.
The ‘Legacy Ship’ is due to be unveiled outside the National Football League (NFL) franchise’s U.S Bank Stadium in time for the 2016/17 pre-season.
As well as the giant screen, which is being designed as the ship’s sail, the structure will include a 43ft (13m) high Norse dragon, and 150ft (46m) of linear displays which will feature historic Viking moments and thousands of ‘Legacy Bricks’ – personalised engraved bricks purchased by fans.
The Legacy Ship was designed by experience branding firm RipBang Studios, a division of the Minneapolis-based architect Nelson.
Although the ship is being privately funded by the Vikings, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) will be providing the Legacy Bricks programme. Minnesota-based Cold Spring Granite Company will be crafting the bricks.
The bricks are priced at US$160 (€149, £104), US$295 (€274, £192) and US$360 (€335, £235).
Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf said he wanted to reimagine the Viking ship that is present outside the team’s Winter Park training facility.
“We wanted to recreate the feature in a significantly enhanced way at U.S. Bank Stadium in order to give Vikings fans a new game day ritual and a perfect welcome to their unprecedented game experience,” he added.
Construction on the Legacy Ship is due to commence next spring.
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