A pro sports executive who spoke on condition of anonymity guessed that the Mall of America will pay $2 million to $3 million per year to the Vikings for naming rights at the Metrodome.  Earlier this fall the Vikings announced a three-year deal for Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

During the recent bye week, destinations for Vikings players reportedly included Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Vikings coach Brad Childress answering a question about whether his team might lose focus because of its 7-1 record: “I don’t think so, because among other things that you talk about, you talk about wanting to defend the NFC North. They had a taste of the playoffs last year. It’s no secret that the people with the best record in your conference are able to play at home as long as they can. So it’s just important that we continue to play well and play well this week. Things have a way of adding themselves up.”

Gophers’ freshman cornerback Michael Carter is expected to be a starter next season.  He has played frequently this season and the Gophers have two senior cornerbacks in Marcus Sherels and Traye Simmons.

The Gophers play Miami in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on December 2 and the University basketball office is promoting a fan trip to south Florida.  The trip package is for December 1 and 2, and includes lodging at the team hotel, transportation on the Gophers airplane charter, game ticket and more.  For more information, call Caitlin Mahoney in the basketball office, 612-625-2061.

Wolves rookie point guard Jonny Flynn told Sports Headliners his most difficult challenge so far as a pro is understanding the complexities of the team’s offense.

Flynn said the Wolves have the makings of a great team with the skill sets of center Al Jefferson, forward Kevin Love and himself.

Apparently driven by finances, some NBA teams aren’t even carrying the maximum number of players (15) on their rosters.

If the Twins offer a seven year, $150 million deal to catcher Joe Mauer, he would be wise to accept it in today’s fragile economy that has just about everyone, including sports teams, worried.

Mauer, a St. Paul native, is now a Florida resident, according to his grandfather Jake Mauer.

Unless the Tigers surprise with some big money deals for prominent players, the Central Division that also includes the Twins, White Sox, Indians and Royals is likely to remain mediocre next season.  No team seems built for beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Zach Schroeder, brother of the Gophers Jordan Schroeder, is a junior forward at St. Thomas Academy and is generating interest from colleges including North Dakota and University of Minnesota Duluth.

Jordan, who was second in WCHA scoring last season for conference games, is receiving lots of attention from opponents this fall as teams “key” on him to stop the Gophers from scoring.  The Gophers forward is expected to play for Team USA next month in the World Junior Championships.  If so, this will be his third time with Team USA.  He is already the all-time leader in assists with 15.

Four MIAC volleyball student-athletes have been named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 5 team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).  Saint Benedict senior outside hitter Emma Jaynes (Hibbing, Minn., accounting – 3.85 GPA) is a first team selection.  St. Thomas senior outside hitter Kyley Crotty (Maplewood, Minn., biology – 3.70 GPA) is a second team pick.  On the third team are Saint Benedict senior setter Beth Hanson (Faribault, Minn., elementary education – 3.76 GPA) and Carleton College junior outside hitter Kelly Lovett (Portland, Ore., political science – 3.82 GPA).

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Royce White is a preseason choice to be the Big Ten Freshman of the Year but it’s a fair question to ask whether he will be playing for the Gophers when the conference season begins on December 29 at Williams Arena against Penn State.

White missed last Thursday night’s opening exhibition game with the University of Minnesota Duluth.  He won’t play tonight, either, in the Gophers second exhibition game (Minnesota State University Moorhead).  White was suspended indefinitely last week by coach Tubby Smith for violation of team rules.  News reports have said White was involved with shoplifting and fifth-degree assault at the Mall of America earlier this year.

Smith told Sports Headliners he’s uncertain about when White will return to the team.  “As soon as I can see he’s done the things that have to get done,” Smith said.  “Hopefully, he will learn this is something that is not going to be tolerated.”

Smith is a disciplinarian who loves his players, but he won’t give anyone a free pass on behavior.  He also won’t accept ongoing problems.

Will White avoid future issues?  The opinion here is that he better because one more incident is likely the end of his college career with the Gophers.

Smith’s expectation for all players is that they behave as gentlemen. Their responsibilities include attending class, being good citizens in the community and doing what they’re asked within the basketball program.

White, a Minneapolis native and 2009 Mr. Basketball winner, is full of basketball potential.  At 6-8, 250 pounds he is the inside power forward who can help take the Gophers from middle of the crowd in the Big Ten toward the top.  Still a teenager, White is exceptionally strong and capable of hoarding rebounds, muscling shots and taking up space on defense to limit scoring by other teams.  He’s also so gifted athletically he can drive to the basket better than most big players.  Sporting News Magazine recently chose White as its Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten and the publication isn’t alone on that prediction.

White was one of the nation’s best and most highly publicized prep players last season. When he left Hopkins High School last spring, it looked like he had an itinerary sending him to the Gophers for a couple of years, then on to the NBA where millions of dollars awaited.

Is this still the plan?

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Joe Mauer and his grandfather Jake Mauer will play golf this fall in Florida despite the elder Mauer having macular degeneration.  The eye disorder has left Jake blind in the right eye and with reduced vision in his left.

Jake told Sports Headliners he’s going to play golf using a special dark colored ball.  In April he’s planning to visit the Mayo Clinic and be fitted with innovative eyeglasses that could improve both his reading and distance vision.

Jake’s vision has been declining and he seldom drives a car now.  Earlier this year he announced he wouldn’t return to Canterbury Park in 2010 to sell the handicapping sheet he’s produced since the horse racing track’s inception in 1985.

That was an emotional loss and so, too, is not driving.  Jake hopes the special colored golf balls and the new eye glasses will keep him on the golf course.  “I’ve got nothing left if not for golf,” he said.

Jake had thoughts of being an 80-year-old tour guide at the new Target Field next year but that won’t be possible because of his vision.  His spirits lift when he talks about his grandchildren including Jake Mauer, 30, who was recently promoted by the Twins to manage the Single-A affiliate Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League).  For the last two seasons Mauer managed the Gulf Coast League Twins.

The elder Mauer is hoping for good news in late November when the announcement is made about the 2009 American League Most Valuable Player.  Joe, who won his third batting title last season, is considered a favorite to win his first MVP award.

Meanwhile, a panel of 12 USA Today reporters and editors voted Mauer AL MVP with 163 points, 56 more than runner-up Mark Teixeira of the Yankees received, according to a story in last week’s USA Today Sports Weekly.  The Twins RonGardenhire finished second to Mike Scioscia of the Angels for top manager.

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