Lawsuit: Wells Fargo Towers signs would 'photo bomb' new Vikings stadium

The Minnesota Vikings Football Stadium LLC (StadCo) is suing Wells Fargo in effort to stop the bank from putting up mounted and illuminated signs on a pair of new office towers, which “do not conform to the parties’ agreement" and serve to "photo bomb the image of the iconic U.S. Bank Stadium,” a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Hennepin County District Court said.

The lawsuit contends the signs both break their agreement and harm “U.S. Bank Stadium’s iconic image.”

The Vikings say the problem with the sign is the letters: They stick out, and they might be lit up. The signage was supposed to be flat and painted and the club said Wells Fargo agreed to those parameters in a restrictive covenant.

StadCo was granted control over the use, design, branding and image of the stadium and “certain real estate” surrounding the stadium through a series of use and development agreements with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.

Wells Fargo is constructing two, 17-story commercial towers adjacent to the stadium, and initial construction plans called for two rooftop signs, which were outlawed by city ordinance when the plans were submitted to the MInneapolis City Planning Commission. A conditional use permit for construction of the towers was approved, and did not prohibit the signs. After an appeal attempt, StadCo and Wells Fargo entered into a “Signage Agreement” which allowed two rooftop signs on the new Wells Fargo Towers, adding restrictions on image, location, scale, size and utility, the lawsuit says.

Vikings’ request to immediately stop Wells Fargo from putting up the signs will be heard Dec. 30 by District Court Judge James Moore.