“Dedicated Wild Fan Keeps ‘X’ Spirit Alive in Front Yard”

Jon Dusing purchased the large letter that once sat atop the Xcel Energy Center. The downtown arena has been rebranded Grand Casino Arena, but many still call it The X.

Auction and the buyer

The Minnesota Wild Foundation auctioned the single “X” roughly six weeks earlier. The winning bid exceeded $20,000, and Dusing emerged as the buyer.

Dusing is 44 years old and a Wild season-ticket holder. He grew up in Iowa and has lived in Minnesota for two decades.

He is the CEO of Fanmaker, a company that builds software for sports teams and media partners.

Front-yard tribute

The “X” now sits in Dusing’s front yard in Lino Lakes. He put the display outside so neighbors and fans could see it.

A social video of the yard display went viral and has topped 320,000 views. The clip revealed how he would celebrate Wild goals during the playoffs.

How the show works

Dusing programmed the setup to run from his phone. When the Wild score, the letter lights red while the yard glows green.

The production includes a goal horn, a goal light, smoke effects and pyrotechnics. The team’s goal song, “Shout” by The Isley Brothers, plays over the speakers.

Playoff timing and plans

Game 1 against the Dallas Stars began at 4:30 p.m., which limited the visual impact. Dusing still triggered the display about six times during the Wild’s 6-1 win.

He planned to run the spectacle again for Game 2, with puck drop scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center.

He launched a livestream so distant fans could follow along. The dedicated Wild fan wants to keep the ‘X’ spirit alive in the front yard for each playoff round.

Looking ahead

Dusing says he will operate the display throughout the playoffs, round by round. He hopes the letter can even join a parade if the team reaches the Stanley Cup finals.

The gesture has become a local rally point. It preserves memories of the longtime Xcel landmark for fans across Minnesota.