Vikings Message Board.Com

Well, Zygi knows shopping malls. Build a megamall and stick a football stadium in the middle, between the food court and the public restrooms.

cthusky wrote:
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like it

thatguy wrote: HE WON'T MOVE THE TEAM! I can almost 100% guarantee this. What we have to worry about is the fact that he might sell it if he doesn't get what he wants.

thatguy, I agree Zigi will probably not move the team (although I thought the North Stars would never leave this market). however, you know the drum will start beating about the team moving to put pressure on the public to act. A new owner could be scary also, you never know what you'll get.

The Vikes public relations status is a disaster! What do think Management can do to reverse the damages?

Vikings will hold a stadium chat TODAY (11/30) @ NOON (CST) on Vikings.com (see link below!). Lester Bagley will be involved with the chat, and he will address some of the major questions concerning the stadium issue. He will also open up to questions from those involved. Please head over to Vikings.com at noon today to see what the latest is.

KEEP THE VIKES IN MINNESOTA! JOIN THE MOMENTUM!

SKOL VIKES!


http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/V ... 19b1c0fbbc

Eli wrote: Isn't that exactly why teams have moved out of L.A.? NFL football just hasn't done well there.

yup.

USC and the Lakers owns L.A.

This is part of the transcript of the "Vikings Stadium Chat" they held on Vikings.com. For the full thing go to... http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/V ... 19b1c0fbbc

(In bold) Lester Bagley, Vikings Vice President of Stadium Development and Public Affairs



[Comment From Jud Jud: ]
why cant the Stadium use the MoA site?
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:04 Jud
12:06

Lester Bagley:
In terms of where we're at with sites, we are completing our due diligence on a number of potential stadium sites. Some in Minneapolis and one suburban site. No conclusions have been reached and we're working to bring forward a package with a single site as soon as our work is completed and as soon as the new legislature and the new governor are ready.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:06 Lester Bagley
12:06


[Comment From Keith Grinde Keith Grinde: ]
What is the latest on the CBA with the NFLPA. A lock out will not help the push for a new stadium
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:06 Keith Grinde
12:09

Lester Bagley:
We are confident that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement will be reached. The NFL has experienced labor peace since 1987 - longer than any other professional sport. The CBA negotiation is a short-term matter, while we are seeking a long-term solution to build a publicly owned facility that will benefit Minnesota for the next several decades. Let's not delay the work that needs to be done, as the CBA issue will be resolved.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:09 Lester Bagley
12:09


[Comment From lori shelby lori shelby: ]
if and when a new stadium is built how long will it take
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:09 lori shelby
12:10

Lester Bagley:
Once the stadium bill passes, it will take approximately 36 or 37 months to construct. That is part of the due diligence that we are completing. More on that later.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:10 Lester Bagley
12:11


[Comment From Mitch Mitch: ]
I keep reading about different groups in LA trying to lure an NFL team to relocate and that the Vikings are on a list of potential teams. Have you been approached by these groups?
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:13 Mitch
12:18

Lester Bagley:
Yes, we have been approached by 2 different groups in Los Angeles - the Ed Roski group and more recently by former Timberwolves CEO Tim Leiweke and AEG. In 2009 when the NFL had an Owners' meeting in southern California, Mr. Wilf and Vikings management toured LA Live to try to get ideas on building a similar sports/entertainment district in Minnesota. Clearly, the Vikings stadium issue is being followed nationally and it's no secret that we're down to the last year on our lease. We've told those groups that we are focused on resolving the issue in Minnesota. We feel solid momentum and feel we're well-positioned with the new legislature and governor. Instead of spending energy speculating on other markets, let's keep the focus on building a world-class facility for the community and the State of Minnesota.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:18 Lester Bagley
12:20


[Comment From greg hoffman greg hoffman: ]
why haven't the vikings organization joined forces with the racino group to push for a racino which would help finance a new stadium for the vikings?
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:20 greg hoffman
12:24

Lester Bagley:
There's no question that there's strong public support for using Racino or casino revenues as a funding solution for the stadium issue. It seems to us that the Canterbury Park proposal is the most viable - they have the infrastructure in place. They've been a good business/operator in Minnesota. If the governor and legislative leaders tell us that the Racino/casino is their preferred solution, then we will jump on-board. However, any gaming proposal would have to be vetted and approved by the NFL. Right now, we expect to start the discussion where we left off last session - utilizing user-based financing along the lines of State Lottery scratch-off, a surcharge on NFL merchandise, hospitality taxes, etc.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:24 Lester Bagley
12:25


[Comment From Britni Britni: ]
Where would the Vikings play their games while the new stadium is being built?
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:25 Britni
12:26

Lester Bagley:
That issue would only be in play if it is determined that the Metrodome site is the ideal site. If that's the case, we would need to engage in conversations with the University of Minnesota about access to TCF Bank Stadium. Again, we are completing our due diligence on sites and no conclusions have been reached. Stay tuned.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:26 Lester Bagley
12:27



[Comment From Ralph Ralph: ]
What about a grassfield, outside where football was meant to be played? Are we getting an out door field???
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:31 Ralph
12:36

Lester Bagley:
There is strong support across the State for a multi-purpose, year-round facility. Adding a roof makes this a state-wide asset and benefits the State of Minnesota - we need to have the important conversation about how to pay for the roof. While it might be great to have outdoor football again, we need to look at maximizing use of this publicly-owned facility - a facility that would host high schools sports, amateur sports, a Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, etc.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:36 Lester Bagley
12:38


[Comment From Mike Mike: ]
Why can't the Vikings use personal seat license as an option for financing the stadium?
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:38 Mike
12:39

Lester Bagley:
Based on prior Twin Cities market evidence, we are skeptical about the viability of Personal Seat Licenses for this project. PSLs have not been utilized in this market in any meaningful way - the Twins sold roughly $5 million in PSLs for their new ballpark. We are studying a variety of potential finance options and at some point we'll measure our fan base and ticket holders' potential interest in PSLs, though we remain skeptical.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:39 Lester Bagley
12:41


[Comment From Brian Brian: ]
With this much public money involved, what assurances do we have that the team won't be sold or relocated?
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:41 Brian
12:43

Lester Bagley:
The Vikings will commit to signing a lease that requires the team to play its games in the new facility until 2045. The Vikings belong in Minnesota; nearly half the population of this state - 2.5 million people - follow Vikings games each Sunday. For many families and friends, watching Vikings games is a strong tradition. This is our 50th season and we hope to have another 50 in Minnesota.
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:43 Lester Bagley
12:43

Well, Lester is saying all the right things, and the biggest thing is that he minimized the reliance on public funding, which is the main sticking point in building the stadium. I have to agree that the Racino idea is the most appealing, although I believe it will have to go hand-in-hand with user fees and some public funding.

One of the most interesting details is that the Vikings now sound committed to a retractable roof. That is a major shift in planning since, IIRC, the Metrodome site concept (or maybe it was the Anoka concept) was presented without a retractable roof in hopes that keeping the costs down would help get the issue through the Legislature.

I like the sound of the commitment to remain in Minnesota. Hopefully, that remains a focus.

BGM wrote:Well, Lester is saying all the right things, and the biggest thing is that he minimized the reliance on public funding, which is the main sticking point in building the stadium. I have to agree that the Racino idea is the most appealing, although I believe it will have to go hand-in-hand with user fees and some public funding.

One of the most interesting details is that the Vikings now sound committed to a retractable roof. That is a major shift in planning since, IIRC, the Metrodome site concept (or maybe it was the Anoka concept) was presented without a retractable roof in hopes that keeping the costs down would help get the issue through the Legislature.

I like the sound of the commitment to remain in Minnesota. Hopefully, that remains a focus.

They are committed to Minnesota. They understand that while it is a business, it's also a cultural icon that belongs to the people of Minnesota as well. Like I said before, I can almost guarantee that Wilf will not relocate the team, and the only way they go is if he sells them to another owner who will. From a business standpoint, I can appreciate that. Wilf seems like a pretty sincere guy. He's trying to make money, but he also understands and respects the tradition the Vikes have.

Let's get some sort of stadium deal done!

thatguy wrote:They are committed to Minnesota. They understand that while it is a business, it's also a cultural icon that belongs to the people of Minnesota as well. Like I said before, I can almost guarantee that Wilf will not relocate the team, and the only way they go is if he sells them to another owner who will. From a business standpoint, I can appreciate that. Wilf seems like a pretty sincere guy. He's trying to make money, but he also understands and respects the tradition the Vikes have.

Let's get some sort of stadium deal done!

The question is whether Minnesota is committed to the Vikings. So far, the answer has been "not at all."

They have one more chance to get this done, and then all the talk about being a MN tradition won't mean a thing. The NFL will do what's necessary to rid itself of it's biggest financial issue franchise-wise, and stop having to shovel piles of revenue sharing dollars at the Vikings. Zygi won't enjoy it at all, but he'll sell to Roski or whoever and the second purple and yellow clad former MN team will wind up in Los Angeles.

It's "Field of Dreams" in reverse: If you don't build it, they will go. And the clock is about a minute shy of midnight and ticking...

DavidKarki wrote:
The question is whether Minnesota is committed to the Vikings. So far, the answer has been "not at all."

They have one more chance to get this done, and then all the talk about being a MN tradition won't mean a thing. The NFL will do what's necessary to rid itself of it's biggest financial issue franchise-wise, and stop having to shovel piles of revenue sharing dollars at the Vikings. Zygi won't enjoy it at all, but he'll sell to Roski or whoever and the second purple and yellow clad former MN team will wind up in Los Angeles.

It's "Field of Dreams" in reverse: If you don't build it, they will go. And the clock is about a minute shy of midnight and ticking...

This is one of those instances where the public support has been there (to at least open up the discussion or find some funding through public funds or otherwise) where the state legislature has been largely lethargic and unresponsive. They almost make these "good-will" proposals just to show that they notice the Vikings but don't really put too much behind them in terms of support. I hope that things change with a new governor because Pawlently was killing the ideas left and right. I just don't understand how they can be so quiet about such a big issue.

Oh and btw, the Vikings are one of quite a few teams that receive revenue sharing. And the best way for them to be done with revenue sharing is to build a new stadium that can bring them the big money. The NFL won't have a say in it until the team gets a new stadium or it is sold. They would most definitely support moving ANY team to LA, and to them, if it's the Vikes "so be it."

Regardless, they just need to get something done.

just saw this on PFT:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -chargers/

...Veteran Toronto-based sports personality Bob McCown of the Fan 590 reports that Philip Anschutz “has or will purchase” 35 percent of the Chargers. McCown adds that the move “apparently” will be the first step in a move of the team to Los Angeles...

Apparently this Anschutz guy is a key figure in one of the groups pushing for a team to move to LA. So hopefully in the next few days we can verify this story so we can put this whole Vikings-to-LA crap to rest.

I wonder how long it will take before we start hearing Vikings-to-London, or Vikings-to-Toronto, or Vikings-to-Mexico City

HornedMessiah wrote:just saw this on PFT:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -chargers/
Apparently this Anschutz guy is a key figure in one of the groups pushing for a team to move to LA. So hopefully in the next few days we can verify this story so we can put this whole Vikings-to-LA crap to rest.

I wonder how long it will take before we start hearing Vikings-to-London, or Vikings-to-Toronto, or Vikings-to-Mexico City

Still doesn't change the fact that the team would essentially be in limbo...

thatguy wrote: Still doesn't change the fact that the team would essentially be in limbo...

And the fact that LA used to have 2 teams, and really there is nothing stopping them from doing that again if they wanted.

I just don't know who I am gonna cheer for if the Vikes leave Minnesota....

TeamChaplain wrote:I just don't know who I am gonna cheer for if the Vikes leave Minnesota....

I'm done cheering for an NFL team if they're gone. Just nothing to be proud of after that.