Vikings purchase site in Eagan for possible future team headquarters

The Minnesota Vikings have signed a purchase agreement for a 185-acre site in Eagan, which could become the team's new headquarters and training facility.

The site – located at Dodd Road and Lone Oak Parkway – was once home to the headquarters of Northwest Airlines. Delta Airlines sold it to the Eden Prairie-based Excelsior Group in July for $10.4 million.

It's been known for some time the Vikings were looking at options for a new team headquarters and training facility.

"As we have previously discussed, the existing Winter Park training facility poses space and flexibility challenges for the Vikings as we continue to grow and evolve," said Vikings Chief Operating Officer Kevin Warren in a statement.

The team says the agreement will allow it to further evaluate the site as a potential location for the team's headquarters and training facility.

Warren added the team is still evaluating a number of options, but said the Eagan property is intriguing for several reasons.

"Not only does this location have tremendous space and flexibility for future growth, but it also offers proximity to both Minneapolis and St. Paul downtowns, as well as the airport," Warren said.

It could represent a big change for the Vikings, who have had their team headquarters at Winter Park in Eden Prairie for more than 30 years.

The news was creating a buzz in Eagan.

"We are pleased and enthusiastic about the Vikings interest in making Eagan their home," said Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire in a news release. "We look forward to learning more about their plans and working with the Minnesota Vikings."