Stadium thread

[Cliff]

You mean a city other than LA has interest in an NFL team??

A city other than LA (supposedly more than one) has approached the Vikings about buying the team.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

There is a pride/superiority thing going on in the cities. I don't ever see it happening. The area would rather it be in an un-heard of suburb then St. Paul. Maybe if the Team left and St. Paul pulled out all the stops to get a new team.....Like what happened with the Wild.

Makes you wonder why St. Paul isn't pushing? I mean, if they really wanted to, now would be a great opportunity to try to get the team.

[purple guy]

Ah, I hadnt heard that. But after reading the artile in the from the link in this thread, the NFl has enough rules in place, pretty tough to move a team. And, unless Im misunderstanding what that article is saying, its no where near the 11th hour of this stadium situation. Another year or so could easily go by with no concrete decision.

[purple guy]

http://www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/79


Can listen live

[purple guy]

Its interesting to listen to them, but once you do, its easy to see why nothing is getting done. A whole lot of talking about a whole lot of nothing much of the time.

[PurpleMustReign]

The NBA forced the Sacramento Kings to stay one more year in Sacramento this year, I think. I think I have that right. Would/Could the NFL do that with the Vikes?

[Eli]

They effectively have. What other city is viable beyond L.A.?

[CalVike]

http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2012/01 ... adium_deal

From my perspective a pretty realistic view of where things stand. It does not sugarcoat anything and points out the Metrodome site is far from a sure winner and the strong likelihood nothing gets done this legislative session. Depressing but correct.

[purple guy]

http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2012/01 ... adium_deal

From my perspective a pretty realistic view of where things stand. It does not sugarcoat anything and points out the Metrodome site is far from a sure winner and the strong likelihood nothing gets done this legislative session. Depressing but correct.

I think the state will string the Wilfs a long, long enough to get by the Feb 15th date they have to look into relocation, once that date passes, they are stuck in the Dump another season, period, if I understand what Im reading, then the state will simply put it off another year.

[dead_poet]

Referendum issue in Minneapolis

As Minnesota state leaders zero in on the Metrodome site in Minneapolis for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium, a significant political hurdle has arisen. Part of the city charter requires a voter referendum for any expenditure of more than $10 million toward a new stadium, and on Thursday, a majority of city council members expressed opposition to overriding that charter for this project.

As Eric Roper of the Star Tribune points out, Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak has proposed $300 million in city tax revenues be used for the stadium. The plan had been to insert language in the bill that would override the referendum requirement, but the council opposition will at least require further massaging of the issue.

A referendum would not only delay the process but also almost certainly scuttle the project. It's generally assumed that voters want a new stadium but won't approve public funds to be used for it. A referendum request is largely responsible for darkening hopes for the Vikings' proposed project in suburban Arden Hills, Minn.

Baseball's Target Field was built only after a public referendum in Hennepin County was avoided.

Rybak bravely said: "We're not going to do a referendum in the city. We are going to have a referendum in a couple years when I stand for re-election." To that end, however, it looks like he has more work to do.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... inneapolis

[dead_poet]

Lawmakers favoring electronic pulltabs for new Vikings stadium
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_19829074?source=rss

[TeamChaplain]

And it keeps on getting worse....

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_198 ... :0|order:1

The Gov. and Legislature needs to just get behind the Arden Hills site..

[dead_poet]

And it keeps on getting worse....

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_198 ... :0|order:1

Not surprising this is coming out now, but I agree it would be a giant mess/headache. Unfortunately I'm sure many people against Arden Hills just adopt the attitude that "Whatever, that's the Vikings', Wilfs' and the NFL's problem."

The Gov. and Legislature needs to just get behind the Arden Hills site..

Agreed. But it's looking less and less likely we're going to get our own Target Field, instead opting for the cheapest, most inconvenient, backwards option. It's just infuriating that it's been delayed even this long. Had the project began when it really needed to be (oh, ten years or so ago), the price would be a fraction of what the legislature is looking at today. Price of inaction I guess.

[Eli]

Gopher Field just isn't viable. It makes the Metrodome site a no-go unless they can build on adjacent land and continue to play in the Dome during the construction period.

No team has ever played three seasons at an alternative venue since the Super Bowl era began in 1966.

Vikings President Mark Wilf has said the team would lose $37 million playing at TCF Bank Stadium for three seasons and would have to spend an additional $30 million to make it NFL compliant, including providing 2,500 parking spaces for premium-seat holders and installing heating coils to prevent the turf from freezing.

It's just not going to fly.

[dead_poet]

Vikings President Mark Wilf has said the team would lose $37 million playing at TCF Bank Stadium for three seasons and would have to spend an additional $30 million to make it NFL compliant, including providing 2,500 parking spaces for premium-seat holders and installing heating coils to prevent the turf from freezing.

It's just not going to fly.

Honestly, I agree. But, really, what does any of that matter to the taxpayer or legislature/decision-makers?

I'm still curious to learn what Zygi's commitment will be if forced into this. He publicly stated any site other than Arden Hills wouldn't command nearly as much as what he's proposing for his preferred site.