Super Bowl LII, welcome from ESPN’s people of the Bold North

Employees from Minnesota who cover NFL reflect on state's unique culture

MINNEAPOLIS – Today, ESPN kicks off more than 60 hours of TV and radio shows from Minnesota – home to Super Bowl LII. In the slides that follow, Minnesota-based ESPN employees share why they are excited about the Super Bowl coming to their home state.

Courtney Cronin, NFL Nation Vikings reporter

Courtney Cronin interviews Minnesota Vikings star Xavier Rhodes. (Photo courtesy of Courtney Cronin/ESPN)

“It’s time that the cold weather cities get some Super Bowl love! I’m excited to see how the NFL transforms our little winter wonderland into the stage for the biggest game of the year. Minneapolis is such an amazing city with so much to do year-round and I’m thrilled that the world will soon get to see why we love it up here so much when the city is spotlighted on Super Bowl Sunday.”

Eric Lundsten, bureau producer

Bureau producer Eric Lundsten works with ESPN Monday NIght Football sideline reporter Lisa Salters. (Bill Hofheimer/ESPN)

“The last time the Super Bowl was in Minnesota (Super Bowl XXVI), I was in my first year of local news in Minneapolis, and my future wife was dancing in the halftime show. I remember seeing [ESPN commentator] Chris Berman and [former ESPN NFL analyst] Tom Jackson walking around the floor of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on Media Day and wondering what working for ESPN could possibly be like. This year, I get to do both – cover the biggest sporting event in the world for the biggest sports network in the world. Oh, and no air travel on Monday rocks.”

Kevin Seifert, NFL senior writer, ESPN.com

NFL Nation reporter Kevin Seifert
(Photo courtesy of Kevin Seifert/ESPN)

“Other than the obvious upside of sleeping in my own bed all week, I love that my media friends and football fans around the world will experience a Minnesotan winter as we do. When it’s over, we’re proud to have endured it.”

Allie Stoneberg, manager, ESPN Communications – NFL

ESPN PR’s Allison Stoneberg (front, right) walks with ESPN NFL analyst and Minnesota Vikings legend Randy Moss (waving) at his Ring of Honor ceremony at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Phil Ellsworth/ ESPN Images)

“I love my home state. I love cheering for Minnesota sports teams, listening to Minnesota radio stations, and talking with Minnesota shopkeepers I don’t know and strangers on the street (“Minnesota Nice” is real!). I love kayaking on the Mississippi River, practicing yoga at the Weisman Art Museum and walking across the Stone Arch Bridge in all seasons. I love eating walleye, chicken wild rice soup, and yes, even hot dish! I hope all visitors and fans find something they love here, and I hope they get to experience the warmth of the Bold North people – especially when the temperature says otherwise.”