Zygi Wilf, Longtime Minnesota Vikings Owner and Visionary Business Leader, Dies at 75

Zygi Wilf, Longtime Minnesota Vikings Owner and Visionary Business Leader, Dies at 75

Minneapolis, MN — Zygi Wilf, the steadfast owner and chairman of the Minnesota Vikings and a towering figure in both the NFL and American business, has passed away at the age of 75. The Wilf family confirmed his passing Thursday morning, though the cause of death has not been made public. His death marks the end of an era not only for Vikings football, but for a legacy rooted deeply in resilience, philanthropy, and American success.

Wilf, who purchased the Minnesota Vikings in 2005 alongside his brother Mark and cousin Leonard, helped transform the franchise into one of the most valuable and forward-thinking organizations in professional sports. Under his stewardship, the Vikings saw sustained growth on and off the field, culminating in the construction of the award-winning U.S. Bank Stadium — a $1.1 billion state-of-the-art facility that hosted Super Bowl LII in 2018 and became a Minneapolis landmark.

“Zygi was not only a passionate leader and steward of our franchise — he was family,” the Wilf family said in a statement. “His unwavering love for the Vikings, for our fans, and for the community defined his legacy.”

From Holocaust Roots to NFL Heights

Born on April 22, 1950, in West Berlin, Zygi Wilf was the son of Holocaust survivors Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf, Polish Jews who endured the horrors of World War II before emigrating to the United States. The family settled in New Jersey in the 1950s, where Joseph and his brother Harry founded Garden Homes, a real estate company that would evolve into one of the largest private development firms in the country.

Zygi Wilf studied economics at Fairleigh Dickinson University and earned a law degree from New York Law School. Though he initially practiced law, his destiny lay in the family business. He soon took the helm of Garden Commercial Properties, an affiliate of Garden Homes, expanding its reach nationwide and shaping communities across America with over 25 million square feet of commercial space.

His transition from real estate magnate to NFL owner was as ambitious as it was impactful. When Wilf acquired the Minnesota Vikings for a reported $600 million in 2005, he made it clear he wasn’t just a figurehead — he was here to build. And build he did.

A Champion of Community, Equity, and Progress

Throughout his two-decade tenure with the Vikings, Wilf prioritized stability, culture, and social impact. He was a strong advocate for equity and inclusion in sports, a proponent of player wellness, and a generous donor to community and charitable initiatives.

He played a pivotal role in the NFL’s response to racial injustice and supported numerous diversity-driven initiatives both within the league and in the Twin Cities. In 2020, the Wilf family committed $5 million toward social justice causes in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Outside of football, Zygi Wilf expanded his sports ownership into soccer. In 2021, he and his family became majority owners of Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC and the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, further solidifying their role as multi-sport investors committed to excellence and growth.

A Deep Legacy of Philanthropy

Wilf’s business accomplishments were matched only by his dedication to philanthropy. Alongside his family, he donated more than $200 million to charitable causes, including Holocaust remembrance, Jewish education, healthcare, and housing.

He served on the board of trustees for Yeshiva University and was a major supporter of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Yad Vashem, and the March of the Living.

“Zygi Wilf was more than a successful businessman — he was a deeply moral man who never forgot where he came from,” said Rabbi David Saperstein, a close friend of the Wilf family. “His life story was one of hope, healing, and legacy.”

Legal Turbulence

Despite his many accolades, Wilf faced challenges in his business career. In 2013, he and members of his family were found liable in a civil suit in New Jersey for breach of contract and fiduciary duty in a real estate partnership dispute. Though initially ordered to pay over $80 million, the final amount was later reduced following appeals. Still, the incident did little to tarnish his influence or philanthropic reach.

A Community Mourns

Zygi Wilf is survived by his beloved wife Audrey, their four children, and several grandchildren. Tributes have poured in from across the NFL, business world, and global Jewish community. The Minnesota Vikings will hold a public memorial service at U.S. Bank Stadium next week, where fans and community members will be invited to pay their respects.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement honoring Wilf: “Zygi was a cornerstone of our league — a wise, compassionate, and visionary leader who helped shape the modern NFL. We mourn his loss and celebrate his enduring legacy.”

Flags at team facilities have been lowered to half-staff. The team will wear a commemorative patch in his honor for the upcoming season.

As the Vikings prepare to move forward under the stewardship of his son and co-owner Mark Wilf, Zygi’s legacy — of faith, family, leadership, and integrity — will continue to guide the franchise he so dearly loved.