Vikings Stadium Bill Nearly Dead; What's Your Take?
After a new stadium bill was defeated in a House committee, a team spokesperson said "this sends a strong message to the Vikings and the NFL.” What do you think it means for the Vikings franchise?
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A “hail mary” pass may be about the only chance the Minnesota Vikings have left to get a stadium bill passed this session.
The House Government Operations and Elections Committee failed to approve a bill that calls for funding a new stadium that would house the NFL team.
The vote was 9-6 with five Democrats and four Republicans voting against the plan. Five Republicans and one DFLer voted in favor.
State Reps Mary Liz Holberg (R-District 36A) of Lakeville, and Pat Garofalo (R-District 36A) of Farmington, as well as State Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36) of Lakeville, have all expressed being against the bill—HF2810—which calls a for a $975 million fixed-roof stadium to be built on the Metrodome site.
The team would cover $427 million of construction costs; the state $398 million; and Minneapolis $150 million.
The team has played in the downtown Minneapolis stadium since 1982, but team officials say the facility is antiquated and does not provide the needed revenue to remain competitive, nor does it offer a top-notch fan experience.
Money from electronic pull tabs, electronic bingo and tipboard games would be used to pay the state’s share of the cost.
“Somebody will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat for this thing to stay alive,” Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead), the bill's chief author said.
After the vote, Lester Bagley, the team’s vice president of public affairs and stadium development, spoke with a frustrated tone, saying the team has done everything it’s been asked, and after more than a decade of trying there still hasn’t been a vote on the House floor.
“This sends a strong message to the Vikings and the NFL,” he said without elaborating.
He refused to issue an ultimatum about the team departing the Upper Midwest.
“I won’t speculate. We’ve got time and people trying to move it forward,” he said. “To have an NFL team in this market we have to address this issue.”
Lanning acknowledged that the issue isn’t going away anytime soon, and will be a constant topic during the forthcoming election season. “The only way this will go away is if we get it to the floor and vote it up or down.”
“This may not be a perfect package, but it should go forward,” said Rep. Carol McFarlane (R-White Bear Lake).
Before each voted against the bill, Rep. David Hancock (R-Bemidji) expressed concern about expanding gambling in the state, while Rep. Bev Scalze (DFL-Little Canada) noted the proposed gaming revenue going into the General Fund would better be spent paying off some of the $2.4 billion the state owes K-12 education.
Committee Chairwoman Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers), who voted “no,” successfully amended the bill to require that Minneapolis voters have a say in their city’s plan to spend $150 million for the stadium. The city charter states no more than $10 million can go toward a sports facility without voter approval. The bill would invalidate that provision.
A companion, SF2391, sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont), awaits action by the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee.
- Written by Mike Cook of the Session Daily, courtesy of the House of Representatives Public Information Services. Check back in with Burnsville Patch for more political coverage.
Adam Fausch
10:37 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
maybe the billionaires and their millionaire employees should build their own stadium. Sure wish I could have my business granted a monopoly by the State and have them build my building while they are at it.
otoro e
11:24 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
you are absolutely in the right! Why the urgency - did we just turn a blind eye to the economic crisis we are in. The NFL is a cash cow now, can they use their profits to do this and stop holding cities and thier citizens hostage every 10-15 years
ABSG
7:42 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
HUGE (Monumental) mistake and unbelievable short sightedness on the part of this State's government and many of it's Citizens. Mondale was/is right - "we will become a B-Class State" (I say we will be worse than a B, I give us a C if that).
It is extremely obvious by many comments on any article related to this that there is an enormous amount of uninformed citizens that just do not get or understand the economic impact and the benefits that having professional sports bring to a State. It just doesn't work like you think "the owners should pay for it".
This is a sad turn of events for this State....you can say good bye to NFL football in Minnesota FOREVER! We won't see a MN Wild type scenario years down the road. It will be over -
I certainly won't vote for any elected official that voted against keeping the Vikings here. And I sure wouldn't want to walk in anyone of these elected officials shoes with the burden of their actions if the Vikings leave. This will be worse than Norm Green being run out of town. If you don't remember Norm Green is still a hated man to this day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngtu5F5aBME
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138154/index.htm
Marcus Anderson
10:47 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
I agree with you 100%
otoro e
11:21 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
you did not mention the benefits of the vikings compared to other needs of the society. Why are we building a new stadium ? if you think through your answer then think about who should foot the bill.
Marcus Anderson
10:41 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
If they are taking bidders, I am sure Wisconsin would love having 2 Pro Football teams in the state. Hudson WI would benefit from the Vikings financially and still have the fan base and regional coverage that the team left behind. Or, heck, Sioux Falls SD could do the same. They are a growing community with lots of space for real estate development for Zygi's vision of a Vikings Village with the ultimate game day experience. The politicians in Minnesota blew it BIG TIME and show that they don't care about investing in the state economic welfare and employment benefits that a very large corporation can bring to a state. The Vikings franchise will endure, but it looks like there is better opportunities available to them at other locations. If they do stay in Minnesota, whatever city comes up with a viable stadium plan to lure them to will benefit greatly. Why Not Lakeville?
Adam Fausch
11:02 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Many businesses and companies would be benefical to the state or local cities, should we build a building or factory for all of them? Who's job should it be to determine what business win the free buildings or not?
We have built 4 stadiums in the last decade 3 for professional sports and one for college sports to say the state doesn't care about professional or big time sports is rediculous.
mncyguy
12:34 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
My big beef with the current bill is that Vikings were to receive 100% of the money from the naming rights of the new stadium. This amount would makeup about 150 million of the Vikings 427 million contribution. If this is the peoples stadium that will not be owned by the Vikings and only used by them 10 dates per year, they should not get this money. It should go directly toward the construction cost.