Minnesota Vikings mascot reportedly demands $20,000 a game, is relieved of his duties

Ragnar the Viking is no more.

Joe Juranitch, the Minnesota man who has played the Vikings’ fur-clad, motorcycle-riding mascot since 1994, has left the team after contract negotiations went awry.

Juranitch reportedly asked for $20,000 per game for 10 years, a massive raise over the approximately $1,500 per game he received last year to wear fur and ride a motorcycle at football games. This would come to a total of $160,000 for eight home games per season, or $200,000 if preseason matchups were included.

“The Vikings greatly appreciate what Ragnar has meant to the organization and to the fans over the last two decades,” the Vikings said in a statement. “We intend to honor his 21 seasons on the field during a 2015 Vikings home game and we will welcome him to future ceremonial events. We will always consider Ragnar an important part of Vikings history.”

I would like to take this opportunity to notify the Vikings that I will grow a beard and ride a motorcycle for a mere $3,000 per game.

(via AP)

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