Stadium thread

[PurpleHalo]

Question: Could Zygi buy the Dome for the $1 the state offered, play there one more year, and then hope the stadium bill passes next year? Or is the $1 solution an alternative to a new stadium? I was thinking that if Zygi did buy the Dome for $1, that would kill any hope of a new stadium, but maybe I am wrong.

I'm fairly certain, that deal is a long term alternate idea, a bad idea at that. The Vikings have said plain and clear anyways, that no long term lease will be signed, without a new facility in place or under construction.

[TeamChaplain]

A commercial campaign should be centered around the main points in that well written piece. That guy is dead on and knows exactly what the hell he is talking about.

Great Article... Thanks for Posting!

[PurpleMustReign]

1st - Ehh, Pawlently dodged the issue like it was his job. Hard to get involved at the Capitol if the governor won't get on board b/c he's too focused on the White House (btw, he can suck it...I'm glad he's out of the running).

2nd - The opposition on the Star Tribune website has been energized and vocal, yes. But that's because those people have nothing to do with their time. It's been PRETTY clear that the majority of Minnesotans want the Vikings to STAY, but they just aren't sure about the funding issue.

some of those people who leave comments are idiots. They are looking short term only, not long term. How could anyone oppose something that would add thousands of jobs (temporary AND long term) and bring in boat loads of money to the state?

[PurpleMustReign]

And, what about special license plates? OR a general fund that people can "donate" whatever amount they want toward the state's portion or the fee? I'd gladly give money toward this issue.

[dead_poet]

Hope.

PatKessler: IT'S ALIVE! Gov Dayton, GOP lawmakers pledge to pass stadium bill this year, using gaming as funding source

Political reporter PatKessler on Twitter

[Crax]

[Mothman]

Tom Powers: Vikings stadium issue enters crisis mode

[Raptorman]

Hope?

PatKesslerPatrick Kessler

Gov Dayton to hold telephone meeting this pm w/ #mnvikings owner Zygi Wilf to discuss revived stadium bill.

4 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/PatKessler

[dead_poet]

Vikings stad "probably" will be handled in the regular legislative session, Ted Mondale says. Mondale says governor Dayton and legislators "moving ahead" in bipartisan fashion on #vikings. Bagley says the team's statement of yesty stands for today.

Rochelle Olson on Twitter

---
Not a fan of this being pushed off to regular session. Construction costs will be higher, the Vikings' lease will have expired, lawmakers who return for the regular session are likely to face another budget shortfall and a politically messy redistricting battle. In addition, all 201 legislators will be up for re-election in November.

Positive side of me: It's progress in the right direction.
Negative side of me: It's just more talk and more delays.

[dead_poet]

Mark your calendar, Dec. 1 is next state economic forecastn Dayton says. Could impact #Vikings stadium.

Rochelle Olson on Twitter

Dayton, legislators try to revive special session for Vikings stadium

Gov. Mark Dayton and the key authors of legislation for a Minnesota Vikings stadium tried Thursday to revive the project, saying that a special session before late January was still possible.

The DFL governor and the two Republican lead authors of legislation to help build a $1.1 billion stadium with public subsidies said they were optimistic despite Wednesday’s stadium developments that indicated the project had stalled politically. Their comments came one day after Dayton said a special session before Thanksgiving was not now possible, largely because key Republican leaders, led by House Speaker Kurt Zellers, were opposed to one.

Appearing outside the governor’s office early Thursday, Dayton and the Vikings stadium legislators acknowledged there were many remaining hurdles, including how to fund nearly $650 million in public money for the project and where to locate the stadium. But the group, which included DFLers, said they would keep working towards unveiling legislation for the stadium so that public hearings could be held in advance of a special session.

But Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, the lead House stadium legislation author, said he could not say whether the legislation could be unveiled by Dec. 1. "That would be nice," he said.

Lanning also said he strongly disagreed with Zellers, who said he did not think a special session for a Vikings stadium needed to occur and that the issue would be dealt with next year. The team's lease at the downtown Minneapolis Metrodome, where it has played since 1982, expires after this season.

"I would hope that this would be all wrapped up, and put away and done, in a bi-partisan spirit, before session starts” in late January, said Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, the lead Senate stadium legislation author.

Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley, who is out of town for the rest of the week, said Thursday that "We are going to let our statement from yesterday stand."

Team officials on Wednesday called the standoff "very disappointing" and said things were only going to get more expensive and difficult to resolve, especially if the state allows the team's Metrodome lease to expire.

Metropolitan Sports Facilities Chairman Ted Mondale said Wednesday that "We're moving ahead in a bipartisan way to get a bill passed."

But, Mondale said, that would "probably" be in the regular 2012 session

http://www.startribune.com/politics/blo ... 68453.html

[bigskyeric]

Hope.
Political reporter PatKessler on Twitter

I can't find this info anywhere. Other then Pat Kessler's Twitter page. Info???

[bigskyeric]

And, what about special license plates? OR a general fund that people can "donate" whatever amount they want toward the state's portion or the fee? I'd gladly give money toward this issue.

They should sell 'shares' of the team for $100 each. I'd buy a lot. And yes...license plates. Minnesota is really dropping the ball in regards to special plates. Montana has hundreds to choose from.

[dead_poet]

I can't find this info anywhere. Other then Pat Kessler's Twitter page. Info???

Perhaps the story is being written. I'll pass along anything I see.

[9man]

I can't find this info anywhere. Other then Pat Kessler's Twitter page. Info???

I just heard the same thing on radio. It's not dead

[TeamChaplain]

Here you go..

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/71859 ... ains-steam