Medtronic and Vikings Begin Multi-Year Community Sponsorship

3-Acre Medtronic Plaza to Become Community Gathering Place and Provide Backdrop for Start of Medtronic TC Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile

MINNEAPOLIS - September 14, 2015 - Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) and the Minnesota Vikings today announced a 10-year partnership that includes the exclusive sponsorship of Medtronic Plaza, the three-acre gateway between downtown Minneapolis and U.S. Bank Stadium; a community service program with the Vikings; and a permanent display of the history of medical technology innovation that will be featured in the Medtronic Club inside the stadium.

"Medtronic was born and raised in Minnesota, and we are proud to be sponsoring this great new community asset for the Twin Cities and the Midwest region. Our sponsorship is a symbol of our continued commitment and presence in the state," said Rob Clark, Medtronic vice president of Global Communications and Corporate Marketing.  "Medtronic Plaza will be a gathering place available to the community 365 days a year.  It also provides us an ideal backdrop for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon." 

"Medtronic has an extensive history of investing in Minnesota and this is another example of that commitment," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "We are proud to announce this broader partnership and to introduce Medtronic Plaza to the community. The nearly three-acre programmable space next to a four-acre park will offer a new and vastly improved pregame experience for our fans and all U.S. Bank Stadium users."

Located adjacent to the west entrance of U.S. Bank Stadium, Medtronic Plaza will provide a place for people to meet and celebrate before and after games, concerts and events throughout the year.  It is estimated that 85 percent of people entering U.S. Bank Stadium will enter through Medtronic Plaza. 

"Our long-standing relationship with Medtronic has allowed us to see first-hand the tremendous impact of their support in the community, and we are genuinely excited for them as they take their local investment in the community even further," said Virginia Brophy Achman, executive director of Twin Cities in Motion, which organizes the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

Medtronic's partnership with the Minnesota Vikings is the latest example of the company's ongoing presence in the local community which includes supporting institutions such as the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Bakken Museum as well as initiatives that advance health and healthcare access through partnerships and programs with many non-profit organizations.  Last year, Medtronic employees in Minnesota gave more than $21.9 million to charitable organizations with the assistance from Medtronic's matching gift program.

Multimedia Release
A multimedia version of this release, with links to a downloadable video, graphics and additional background information can be found at: http://bit.ly/1QtAYCl

About Medtronic
Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies technology - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 85,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in more than 160 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

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Public Relations
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Ryan Weispfenning
Investor Relations
+1-763-505-4626