Minnesota Vikings Get a Familiar Futbol Comparison

America’s most popular sport takes place on the gridiron. Across the entire world the most popular sport is the one played on a pitch. Every year the National Football League attempts to grow its brand globally by combining the two.

Just last season the Minnesota Vikings traveled overseas to host the New York Jets in London. The game was played in a futbol arena, and the fans at it up. How comparable are the two sporting worlds though?

Tottenham provides a familiar home for Minnesota Vikings fans

The Athletic has grown into a mega-outlet with journalists representing sports teams in multiple leagues across the globe. With the Super Bowl now over, the premise was simple. What if a football fan wants to try futbol on for size? As it would have it, the Minnesota Vikings were given a well-reasoned comparison.

Eduardo Tansley says that if you do the Skol chant, you should give Tottenham Hotspur a try.

“Zero wins from four Super Bowl appearances. That’s why the Minnesota Vikings are being associated with Tottenham, a team that hasn’t won a trophy since 2008 and one which has a reputation of being ‘Spursy,’ meaning playing fan-pleasing attacking football built on rocky foundations, often crumbling in comedic fashion.

In terms of star power, Spurs’ Son Heung-min is one of the only Premier League wingers whose fandom matches, or arguably even exceeds, that of the Vikings’ wide receiver Justin Jefferson, arguably the best in the league in his position.”

Why the Spurs are a good fit for Vikings fans (The Athletic)

The Tottenham suggestion is an interesting one as Vikings fans could already have a level of familiarity. Tottenham Stadium is where Minnesota took down the New York Jets this last season. Present for the game, it was evident just how many Vikings fans filled the local pubs and streets before taking over the stadium as well.

Vikings jerseys were OUT in London…

Along with some pretty absurd ones 🤣 #skol pic.twitter.com/X7FlbhA75Z

— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) October 8, 2024

Minnesota’s game in London last season was their second consecutive appearance at Tottenham Stadium. They bested the New Orleans Saints as visitors back in 2022.

The Premier League is already underway in Europe. Tottenham has played 25 matches and currently owns a 9-3-13 record. It’s a bit odd they’ve found themselves on the wrong end of the score sheet so often as they have a +12 goal differential. The current record places them 12th in the standings.

The Spurs next match takes place at home on February 22 against Ipswich Town. They have 13 regular season fixtures remaining, and the schedule runs through May.

Related: Report: Vikings Eyeing CB for Franchise Tag, Not Sam Darnold

American football provides little excitement over the next few months aside from short bursts generated by free agency (March) and the NFL Draft (April). The Vikings aren’t going to head overseas this coming season, but fans may find it fun to cheer for a club that has been a gracious host a couple of times.

Of course the downtime could also be filled by tuning into Minnesota Twins baseball action. Spring Training is underway and the first game takes place Saturday February 22nd. The Minnesota Timberwolves emerge from their All-Star Break on Friday, and the Minnesota Wild take the ice again on Saturday afternoon.