The 620 Club on Hennepin Avenue became a downtown Minneapolis fixture in 1934 after Max Winter launched the venture alongside his brother Henry and Ernie Fliegel. The restaurant, which specialized in turkey, served as the primary business platform for Winter before he transitioned into the world of professional sports management and league expansion efforts.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1903 in Ostrava, Austria-Hungary, Winter eventually settled in the United States after emigrating with his family. He completed his secondary education at North High School in 1922 and went on to attend Hamline University on a basketball scholarship. This athletic background informed his later professional trajectory in sports administration and ownership.
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In 1947, Winter entered the professional basketball landscape as a partial owner and general manager of the Minneapolis Lakers. He managed the team within the National Basketball League alongside partners Ben Berger, Sid Hartman, and Morris Chalfen. This role established his credentials as a sports executive capable of navigating the complex operations of professional franchises.
Founding the Minnesota Vikings
Winter shifted his focus to professional football during the mid-1950s. After an initial attempt to secure an National Football League expansion team failed, he joined the American Football League in 1959. Following the NFL decision to expand into the region, he and his partners withdrew from the AFL to accept an NFL franchise. The Minnesota Vikings were formally named on September 27, 1960, with an ownership group that included Bill Boyer, H. P. Skoglund, Ole Haugsrud, and Bernard H. Ridder Jr.
Executive Tenure and Legal Disputes
Winter served as the president of the Minnesota Vikings from 1965 until 1987, maintaining a position on the board of directors until 1989. In 1985, his attempt to sell his share of the team to Irwin L. Jacobs and Carl Pohlad resulted in a legal conflict with other owners. The matter reached the Minnesota Supreme Court, which ruled in Winter's favor in 1987.
Fast facts
- Born: 1903, Ostrava
- Died: 1996, Minneapolis
- Education: Hamline University
- NFL Team: Minnesota Vikings
- Business: The 620 Club
- Citizenship: United States and Austria
- Vikings President: 1965–1987
Questions readers ask
What was the name of the facility built in honor of Max Winter?
The team named its headquarters and training facility in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Winter Park.
When did the Minnesota Vikings officially receive their name?
The team was named the Minnesota Vikings on September 27, 1960.
Achievements
- Educated at Hamline University
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