The Vikings broadcast just got a new sponsor, a trading card game made in our very own Northland. A cabin on Side Lake, Minnesota became the birthplace of Ward, the Trading Card Game. A new blend on trading card games, that takes a different approach to the game play.

This card game found success in its few short years of release. As during their day job one of the creators, found an opportunity to become an official sponsor of the Minnesota Vikings Broadcast for the 2024 season.

What is Ward?

Joe Casey, the co-owner of Ward, the Trading Card Company, along with Marty Paulsen, the director of marketing and advertising, met us at cabin that started it all. Joe explained Ward as, ” basically a trading card game that blends classic aspects of other popular trading card games, but with a dice rolling battle system.”

Ward found rapid success at conventions and game stores across the state. They often ran out of stock as they hosted tournaments and events across the state. Another unique fact about the game is that they have written and recorded lore for each card they create. This lore has also been affected and created based on what players have done in official tournaments. And as they have their own lore for each card, Ward has its own unique backstory. Joe reminisced about how it all began.

“We had what was called a “nerd weekend” coming up, which is a time in the middle of winter where we go out to the cabin that you see here, and we’ll play games, video games, board games, card games, in negative 30-degree weather, because we are way up north in Minnesota here.”

“So, I brought the game out, and we all did some play testing on it, and, well, at the time it wouldn’t be play testing, we just played the game, because we had no plans to release it to the public. What had ended up happening is, after the weekend, we found this is the only game we actually wanted to play.”

“Fast forward a little bit, my brother Tom reaches out to me, and he kind of requests, he’s like, “Hey, maybe we can do something with this. If we’re having this much fun with it, maybe other people will too.”

The game has been out for about 2 and a half years. As the game heads to multiple events and host tournaments all across the state inviting any and all to join in.

How Ward and the Minnesota Vikings Broadcast United

Ward the Trading Card Company has also now made a bridge between tabletop and the field. As they became an official sponsor of the Vikings broadcast this year. Joe was doing his day job and through the acts and connections, found an opportunity ahead of them.

“I work as a first responder to keep it as simple as possible. We had a call to some issues that they’re having near the radio station. After talking to the staff for a little while, our company had come up and he had mentioned doing radio “

“It didn’t seem to fit our demographic, but then he had recognized me from another incident where I had helped him out. Basically, what he had offered us to get on with the Vikings broadcast network as a sponsorship.”

“We didn’t care what it was going to be, but we’re going to jump on this, and we’re going to be a sponsor. Not only just for the advertising, but because it’s our favorite team that we like since we were kids.”

They have been a sponsor of the Vikings broadcast since. Their ads can be heard before and after games throughout the season. Ward can be found at local stores across Minnesota. In Duluth. at Collector’s Connection, and The Lock, and over in Superior at Globe News. As well as Lucky 7 gas stations across the Minnesota area. They also have information regarding tournaments and their story over on their website.