Tom Clancy Buys Minnesota Vikings

On Feb. 5, 1998, Author Tom Clancy confirms he signed agreement to purchase Minnesota Vikings for slightly more than $200 million, an NFL franchise record.

The 1998 season was a good one for Clancy and the Vikings.

With a spectacular offense led by quarterback Randall Cunningham (who replaced an injured Brad Johnson), running back Robert Smith, veteran wide receiver Cris Carter, and explosive rookie Randy Moss, the Vikings set a then-NFL record by scoring a total of 556 points, never scoring fewer than 24 in a game.

The Vikings finished the season 15–1, their only loss was to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27–24 in Week 9.

In the playoffs, the Vikings rolled past the Arizona Cardinals 41–21,and came into the Metrodome heavily favored for their NFC title showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, who had gone 14–2 in the regular season.

After kicker Gary Anderson, who had just completed the first perfect regular season in NFL history (not missing a single extra point or field goal attempt the entire year), missed a 38-yard field goal attempt with less than 2 minutes remaining, the Falcon's ensuing drive tied the game. T

his led to a controversial decision by head coach Dennis Green to run out the clock and let the game go onto overtime. Though the Vikings won the coin toss, Atlanta went on to win it 30–27 in overtime on Morten Andersen's 38-yard field goal.

The Vikings became the first 15–1 team to fail to reach the Super Bowl. The Falcons lost Super Bowl XXXIII to John Elway and the Denver Broncos.

Since the team's first season in 1961, the Vikings have had one of the highest winning percentages in the NFL.

They are also one of only six NFL teams to win at least 15 games during the regular season. The Vikings have won one NFL Championship, in 1969, prior to the league's merger with the American Football League (AFL). Since the merger, they have made the playoffs 25 times, third-most in the league.

The team has played in four Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX and XI), losing in each one. In addition, they have lost in their last five NFC Championship Game appearances since 1978.

The team currently has 12 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Vikings who currently play at the Metrodome in Minnesota, just broke ground on what will be the franchises fourth stadium, The New Vikings Stadium, which is stated to be opened for the 2016 season. However, in the 2014 and 2015 seasons the Vikings will play at the University of Minnesota, home of the Golden Gophers, at The TCF Bank Stadium.