Vikings Official Rips Minnesota Governor Over Stadium Situation

The Minnesota Vikings have been trying for some time to get a new stadium built. While most who have been to the Metrodome would agree that it's not exactly a pristine venue, it doesn't seem that anyone can figure out how to pay for a new stadium.

At this time, the Vikings would like some $700 million from the state of Minnesota to help fund a project that is nearing a $1 billion pricetag. The state has scoffed, citing a rather ominous budget deficit. The Vikings don't care.

Instead of caring, the Vikings seem to be trying to amp up the pressure.

Lester Bagley, the team's vice president of public affairs and stadium development, provided biting remarks Wednesday about the lack of engagement from Gov. Tim Pawlenty and intimated the clock could be ticking on the Vikings' time in Minnesota if something doesn't happen in the current legislative session.

"With all due respect, he's been governor for six years, and he hasn't done anything," Bagley said of Pawlenty. "He hasn't lifted a finger to engage in a problem-solving discussion to help us on our issue. And that's the frustration that the NFL feels, that our ownership feels and a lot of our allies [feel], whether they be elected officials or not. There's a lot of frustration, and there's been no meaningful engagement by the executive branch."

I've lived in Minnesota since 1998. As long as I can remember, they have been trying to angle for government help so they can get a new stadium. I can't blame them, seeing that the Metrodome is a pile, and downtown Minneapolis would be much less unsightly if they just got rid of the thing.

However, I do find some irony in the fact that the Los Angeles-area football stadium project is wholly paid for by private funds.

At no point have previous owner Red McCombs or current owner Zygi Wilf even attempted (publicly, at least) to put together a stadium project that would be funded with even a majority of private funds.

Taking it one step farther, the Minnesota Twins contributed around $152 million to pay for Target Field (opening in 2010), which is estimated to cost $412 million. At that same percentage, the Vikings would be expected to plunk down over $350 million to help pay for their project, and they haven't even come close to offering that much.

Meanwhile, the Vikings' brass continues to drop veiled threats about relocation, always saying that they don't want to move the team. In the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Bagley is unafraid to point out that the Vikings "have 30 games left at the Metrodome". Their lease expires in 2011, and it's clear they have no intention of occupying the facility one day past then.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-12-2009 @ 12:30PM

slumlord0013 said...

I think they must have balls of steel;to ask the tax-payers to pay for a venue for them to make money.It would be like someone wanting to open a bussiness and expect the rent to be free.As much money as the NFL pays its players the owner surly has enough money to build their own facilities.

2-12-2009 @ 12:37PM

RUSH1LIMBAUGH said...

Sorry Team Vikings,......you want a new stadium, take the Jerry Jones (owner of cowpokes)approach and ask your owner to invest and pay for it!

2-12-2009 @ 2:44PM

jerry said...

who farted?

2-12-2009 @ 3:54PM

supreme00j said...

The Vikings give hundreds of millions in taxes to the state in taxes(payroll/sales/payments on the lease of the stadium) and they need "balls of steel" to ask for help to build the stadium? Please. Its even more naive to assume that they don't pay for the lease they have now and that just because they pay players millions that they just have even more lying around to privately fund a stadium. You've got to be kidding me.
And the one example you have of a team paying for their own stadium is the Cowboys? Do you have any idea how much more money the Cowboys draw in then any other team in the league? They already had a stadium that held 2x the people the Metrodome holds (read: they can make that much more money a year in tickets alone), not to mention how immensely popular the team is in general with sales of all their merchandise. The difference is baffling.
The "irony" is that you seem to think that every owner is a multi-billionaire with enough money in disposable income to pay for these things themselves. Even more "ironic" is that while you mention the stadium in California is privately funded for $800 million, you don't mention that the guy funding the stadium wouldn't be able to afford an NFL team of his own and that is why he is doing what he can to get a team to move there. The guy would own the stadium much like the Minnesota Sports Commission owns the Metrodome, not the team.
An while on the subject of irony, how did the Bears pay for their stadium upgrades? How do the Packers pay for anything (fans=taxpayers)? And does anyone know how the Lions make money (Seriously, how do the Lions make any money)?

2-12-2009 @ 9:11PM

nexxtlevell said...

I have worked and gone to a game at the Metrodome. The steps can be very slippery and are way too small especially if you sit in the upper levels. Good luck getting a new stadium.

2-13-2009 @ 8:26AM

Stacey said...

First of all, maybe if the Vikings could get past the playoffs the state would be willing to help a little more, the Vikings fans in Minnesota are dedicated fans, they constantly buy tickets so the games are not blacked out, constantly buying apparel to help promote the team and Zygi Wolf does nothing but sit back and complain, maybe he should quit paying players 60 millions dollars and out some of that money towards helping build a new stadium, the taxpayers and governor aren't going to help until the owner can step up and get a decent coach who can help this talented team get somewhere in a season, instead the owner keeps settling for mediocre and then expects the state of Minnesota, who I might add is in a severe deficit, to pay for a new stadium? Go ahead and take the team to another state, maybe then the team can get taxpayers in that state to help them!