The Minnesota Vikings have secured permission to sell alcohol outside of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Vikings vice president Lester Bagley said the team pursued the opportunity due to the shortage of typical tailgating areas or gatherings outside the stadium (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk):

Via Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Minnesota legislature has given the Vikings permission to sell alcohol in the Commons park, a 4.2-acre gathering space outside U.S. Bank Stadium.

Vikings V.P. Lester Bagley explained that there’s no specific plan to sell alcohol in Commons park, yet.

“The biggest issue is the lack of fan gathering spaces and disappearing tailgating opportunities — a time-honored tradition for the Vikings fans in the days of yore,’ Bagley said.

Bagley alludes to the Vikings reestablishing some sense of tradition.

The Vikings were one of the teams that played in the famous Metrodome, which closed in 2013. They then played a pair of seasons at TCF Bank Stadium–home of the University of Minnesota football team–prior to their inaugural season at U.S. Bank.

The legislature's ruling in favor of selling alcohol outside the stadium also serves to benefit the team in the event the coronavirus pandemic prevents teams from allowing fans inside.

As Florio noted, the Vikings might be able to set up some social distancing measures which would still allow fans to gather outside the stadium and purchase alcohol while watching the team.

Considering teams like the Rams and Chargers are facing deficits opening a new stadium of their own, this added revenue boost could be crucial for the Vikings if fans cannot physically attend games.