Stadium thread

[Eli]

Would you be OK if they used taxpayer money to build a billion dollar NASCAR track??? I know I wouldnt.

If a billion dollar NASCAR track would mean several billion dollars in revenue over the next 30 years, then hell yeah. Build a billion dollar horseshoe pit if the numbers are the same. Doesn't matter.

The economic impact to the state of Minnesota if the Vikings pack everything into moving vans and head down the highway will be huge. It probably can't even be calculated, but it certainly will be felt.

[PurpleMustReign]

No, probably not, but where do you draw the line?? What about Minnesotans who arent Vikings/football fans?? Would you be OK if they used taxpayer money to build a billion dollar NASCAR track??? I know I wouldnt.

As long as I know what the money would be for and that it would be profitable for the state, thhey could build anything they want and I'd pay extra taxes. Again, as long as it would benefit the STATE, not necessarily myself only or whatever.

[thatguy]

No, probably not, but where do you draw the line?? What about Minnesotans who arent Vikings/football fans?? Would you be OK if they used taxpayer money to build a billion dollar NASCAR track??? I know I wouldnt.

Same thing could be said about museums and theaters. What about the people who have to pay taxes to go towards those things who will never use them? "Culture" is a point-of-view, so that's not an argument.

[bigskyeric]

By not supporting it, you are most likely waiving to them goodbye. What about the Taxpayers who hate football? I'm sure if they understood that a new stadium and keeping the Vikings competitive in Minnesota would generate more money for the tax pool then would be spent, they'd understand it is a good idea that benefits everyone in the long run.(except for people who can not have their opinions changed no matter what....) How does taxpayers money spent on education benefit me? How does taxpayers money spent on roads benefit people who don't drive? The science museum? Local hockey rinks? Public school football fields? Their will always be a group opposed to something they have no interest in. The math adds up to Minnesota losing a lot more then just football if the Vikings move away. It's like Minnesotans think they're going to get a Bill in the mail for their share of the stadium. They're not. Think of it as an investment. For instance, when i was 18, I bought $800 in silver coins. Guess what, Those coins are worth $7000 now. (and nobody kicked down almost half the cost like Wilf is willing to do) The Vikings are the coins. And if residents can not see the big picture, then the people put in power to make decisions for everyone will hopefully think for them. Recently, Someone told me, "if I was building a house, I wouldn't go door to door and ask everyone for $5 towards the project".... I replied, "sure you would, if you were only going to use it 10 or so days a year, and everyone in the neighborhood was welcome to use your pool, you're garage, your property as a community center the rest of the year, and also, they wouldn't actually have to pay that $5, it would come out of they're property tax over the next 40 years." "Oh ya, he replied.... I guess that would make sense"

[Demi]

Same thing could be said about museums and theaters. What about the people who have to pay taxes to go towards those things who will never use them? "Culture" is a point-of-view, so that's not an argument.

70% of the people of the state watch the Vikings. Barely over 50% voted for this tax increase. And an even more insignificant portion of those are the art snobs. Those Museums and theaters bring nothing into the state in terms of money. It isn't even comparable.

That Nascar track wouldn't be used by other organizations for hundreds of days of the year either, beyond what others have said.

I actually feel better about it now then I did before, seems like even though they're all offering different ways of doing it, there is more support for *something* getting done across the board. Even the "no tax funding" extremists are putting other options out there.

[Kansas Viking]

Well, prepare yourself to open up a brand new pair of tube socks!

[crazyguy]

Well, prepare yourself to open up a brand new pair of tube socks!

How people think it makes sense to use tax dollars to pay for sports stadiums (or museums, etc) is beyond me. If Wilf decides to leave or sell because someone else is willing to give him a billion dollar stadium I suppose I can't blame him, but I wouldn't want to be one of the suckers duped into footing the bill for a bunch of multi-millionaires to make millions and millions more. Best Cae Scenario my ROI as a taxpayer might be 125% (doubtful) while they guy who could have paid for it himself will rake in 500-1000% off of my money. What a joke.

[Hiccup]

How people think it makes sense to use tax dollars to pay for sports stadiums (or museums, etc) is beyond me. If Wilf decides to leave or sell because someone else is willing to give him a billion dollar stadium I suppose I can't blame him, but I wouldn't want to be one of the suckers duped into footing the bill for a bunch of multi-millionaires to make millions and millions more. Best Cae Scenario my ROI as a taxpayer might be 125% (doubtful) while they guy who could have paid for it himself will rake in 500-1000% off of my money. What a joke.

So when the state of MN realizes how much tax money they're losing because the Vikings moved away and raise taxes, I'll blame people like you. And when they realize the mistake that they made by letting the vikings go and spend a billion more trying to get another football team here, I'll blame people like you. They say history repeats itself... well look at what happened to the North Stars or the Lakers. Yes, I also agree that the state shouldn't pay for a stadium, but why should NFL owners pay for it all when they have several other states willing to help pay for it? And why do you think that other states are willing to pay for it? Because ROI is worth it.

We have politicians who don't have an IQ higher than 100 and people who don't do their research, its maddening.

[crazyguy]

So when the state of MN realizes how much tax money they're losing because the Vikings moved away and raise taxes, I'll blame people like you. And when they realize the mistake that they made by letting the vikings go and spend a billion more trying to get another football team here, I'll blame people like you. They say history repeats itself... well look at what happened to the North Stars or the Lakers. Yes, I also agree that the state shouldn't pay for a stadium, but why should NFL owners pay for it all when they have several other states willing to help pay for it? And why do you think that other states are willing to pay for it? Because ROI is worth it.

We have politicians who don't have an IQ higher than 100 and people who don't do their research, its maddening.

I'm not in MN, so I have no say in what will happen. You want to build the stadium, great. I love my vikings. You (collectively) don't want to pay for it? I understand not wanting to be blackmailed by millionaires because "somebody else WILL pay for it". I wouldn't vote for public funding for a stadium in my city.

[Knoxx]

This is the problem. The Wilf's won't own the stadium, the State will. Instead of looking at it that the State is giving the Wilf's a half billion dollars, in reality it is the Wilf's that are giving the State nearly a half billion dollars.

The Wilf's 400 million dollars will allow them priority use of the stadium 8 weekends a year maybe a few more depending on the play-offs. The other 44 weekends the state gets to rent it out generating money. I see this as a major win for Minnesota and actually looks like the Wilf's are being played as chumps in this deal.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Look, I know the stadium is not being built where I am from, but why is everyone so hell bent on voting against a tax increase. Like it or not, SOMEBODY will have to raise taxes one day. It simply the only way to make any kind of government gains.

It is not like all the citizens will have to pay for the whole stadium anyway. It is also baffles me why The Gophers got a new stadium as did the Twins but when it comes to the Vikings, there is a major push back. Do people not realize the vast boost the economy, not mention the creation of jobs, the new stadium will provide? Jobs, to an economy where unemployment is high.

My opinion, take it or leave it.

[purple guy]

Look, I know the stadium is not being built where I am from, but why is everyone so hell bent on voting against a tax increase. Like it or not, SOMEBODY will have to raise taxes one day. It simply the only way to make any kind of government gains.

It is not like all the citizens will have to pay for the whole stadium anyway. It is also baffles me why The Gophers got a new stadium as did the Twins but when it comes to the Vikings, there is a major push back. Do people not realize the vast boost the economy, not mention the creation of jobs, the new stadium will provide? Jobs, to an economy where unemployment is high.

My opinion, take it or leave it.

I think thats what fans are saying, one way or the other. Some think the state should just throw money at the Vikings because they are fans and the Vikings bring some benefits to the state. Others (like me) feel if the Wilfs want a billion dollar stadium, he and the NFL should build it. Some say the state is just dragging their feet, well, IF the Wilfs are going to get a few hundred million from the state, Id say the state has the right to say where and what kind of stadium should be built, if WIlf doesnt agree, he can leave the 300-350 million on the table and use his own freaking money. The Vikings "plans" have been questionable, at best.

[PurpleMustReign]

if WIlf doesnt agree, he can leave the 300-350 million on the table and use his own freaking money. The Vikings "plans" have been questionable, at best.

If we were in NY, I could see Wilf doing that. Unfortunately, we aren't in NY. I wouldn't be shocked if he did, because he has significantly increased his portion on a few occasions.
But with that said, I am still in the view that I wouldn't mind paying more taxes for the Vikings Stadium.

[Raptorman]

I think thats what fans are saying, one way or the other. Some think the state should just throw money at the Vikings because they are fans and the Vikings bring some benefits to the state. Others (like me) feel if the Wilfs want a billion dollar stadium, he and the NFL should build it. Some say the state is just dragging their feet, well, IF the Wilfs are going to get a few hundred million from the state, Id say the state has the right to say where and what kind of stadium should be built, if WIlf doesnt agree, he can leave the 300-350 million on the table and use his own freaking money. The Vikings "plans" have been questionable, at best.

And on the flip end, if the Wilfs are gong to put 400 million into a stadium they don't own, they should have some say in were it is built. So the Wilfs build a stadium by themselves, then the state and local community have no right to use it the other 350 or so days a years unless they pay to use it.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I think thats what fans are saying, one way or the other. Some think the state should just throw money at the Vikings because they are fans and the Vikings bring some benefits to the state. Others (like me) feel if the Wilfs want a billion dollar stadium, he and the NFL should build it. Some say the state is just dragging their feet, well, IF the Wilfs are going to get a few hundred million from the state, Id say the state has the right to say where and what kind of stadium should be built, if WIlf doesnt agree, he can leave the 300-350 million on the table and use his own freaking money. The Vikings "plans" have been questionable, at best.

No, it is understandable. I am just saying there seems to be a double standard almost. If I am recalling this correctly, was not both TCF Bank Stadium and Target Field publicly taxed as well? I guess I just want to know why there is more opposition toward the Vikings stadium?