King cake at stake for Vikings-Saints wagers between senators, mayors

MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

It’s not a playoff game until a friendly wager between politicians is put on the table. This year, it looks like Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will be feasting on New Orleans king cake if the Minnesota Vikings defeat the Saints in this Sunday’s NFC Divisional playoff game (3:40 p.m. on Fox 9).

“In a salute to the Vikings and Minnesota’s many dairy cows,” Sen. Klobuchar has wagered purple-colored homemade ice cream against Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy’s king cake. 

“I look forward to welcoming the Saints to Minnesota this Sunday. I’d like to remind my friend Senator Kennedy that the Vikings kicked off this season with a win against New Orleans—and I know we can do it again!” said Klobuchar. “I look forward to enjoying a Louisiana king cake after a sweet win Sunday. The only thing sweeter will be the Vikings playing in the Super Bowl right here in Minnesota in February.” 

“I have no doubts the Saints will beat the Vikings this Sunday and continue their path to the Super Bowl,” said Kennedy. “I am so confident that we will win, I bet Senator Klobuchar a king cake. I’m going to make good on the bet regardless of the game’s outcome. At least having a king cake will make it easier to stomach a loss this weekend. Who Dat!”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that he and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu also have king cake on the line for Sunday's game. But in the mayoral wager, Minneapolis will send Minnesota-grown wild rice to New Orleans, donated by Minneapolis-based and Native American-owned Northland Visions. The winnings will be donated to a charity of the respective mayor’s choosing. 

“The Vikings were carried to an NFC-best 13-3 record, which included a decisive week one win over the Saints, by one of the most dynamic defenses in recent history and an efficient, balanced offensive attack,” said Frey. “Mayor Landrieu is a man of integrity and sound judgment – but he made a mistake in betting against the Vikings at home in Minneapolis. We thank him and the entire “Who Dat Nation” in advance for their generosity and kind donation following a serious butt-kicking.” 

“Our Saints are on fire behind the league’s best offense led by Brees, Kamara and Ingram. Cam Jordan and our defense showed again last week why they are the scariest right now,” said Landrieu. “I know Mayor Frey is just starting out in office, so I’ll give him a little leeway. But I made sure he knew that the Saints have a little extra motivation this year. There would no better way to kick off New Orleans’ 300th anniversary than to bring home the Lombardi Trophy again for the Who Dat Nation.”

PREVIOUS FRIENDLY WAGERS

In 2016, Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. Al Franken joined a friendly wager with Washington Sens. Patty Murray Maria Cantwell. Klobuchar and Franken wagered walleye and Caribou Coffee, while Murray and Cantwell wagered salmon and Starbucks coffee.

That same year, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges wagered local beer from Indeed Brewing Company, a “North” stocking hat and mittens from Askov Finlayson, dates from the Karmel Mall and a Prince t-shirt. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray wagered fresh salmon from Pike Place Fish Market, coffee from Starbucks and baked goods from Central District’s Kings Donuts.

Public transit is getting in on the wagers this year too. Metro Transit has challenged the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority to swap social media cover photos to an image of the winner’s bus, train car or street car.

Vikings-Saints playoff coverage starts at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox 9 with a special edition of Vikings Gameday Live.