Stadium thread

[Duchene]

Rochelle Olson on Twitter

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Yes, wait until next year when costs are even higher and the Vikings are franchise free agents. I'm sure all of Minnesota's budget issues will be worked out by then.

"Might wait until next year." Exactly the same mentality that led us here. So frustrating.

That is very frustrating to hear. Once the Vikes become franchise free agents the offers from LA will be huge. Waiting is going to cost the state a lot more money to keep the Vikes and increases the chance that they leave drastically. You're right, crisis mode was last year and this just keeps getting worse, not better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and am trying to stay optimistic, but it is getting harder all the time.

[Eli]

Back to the current stadium...

Has anyone heard yet whether or not the turf will need to be replaced? I'd read that it may have been damaged either by the weather or the equipment that they had inside to clear snow and repair the roof.

[dead_poet]

Siefert: "If I were #Vikings, I'd start turning up the relocation heat. What do they have to lose? Clealry, Minn. leaders don't think it can happen."

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... ur-options

[dead_poet]

Back to the current stadium...

Has anyone heard yet whether or not the turf will need to be replaced? I'd read that it may have been damage either by the whether or the equipment that they had inside to clear snow and repair the roof.

Metrodome will get new turf before #Vikings season begins. Old stuff was waterlogged from collapse.

Rochelle Olson on Twitter

[OJVIKE]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=A ... gs-stadium
looks like the vikes will play the waiting game again!!!
they will get a new stadium.....but will it be in L.A. ??

[PurpleMustReign]

Rochelle Olson on Twitter

I still don't know why they even questioned it... The water and warm temps along with plywood over the turf could mean nothing but mold and grossness.

[purple guy]

If I was Wilf, Id pack my #### asap. IF the state is eventually going to approve it, do it now, instead of next year when it will obviously be even more expensive. While I dont support the idea of the state giving him money, IF they are going to, it would only make sense to give them as little as possible, so waiting will only increase the cost. Politicians are just being politicians here. Im sure they have an idea as to wether it would pass or not, if not for the timing, so just be big boys/girls and pass it, or say "no thanks". Again, I dont support the state giving them a cent, but Im guessing they are just delaying it as they feel it will save political face, then approve next year, when Im sure the budget will be 100% in balance ( ), when the project will be more expensive. Wilf should give an altemadium, address the stadium issue this year, or bow out, and we'll weigh our options.

[dead_poet]

Mondale said of #vikings stad. "It's time to cool off. Have a glass of iced tea. Walk the dog. Everything will be all right."

Rochelle Olson on Twitter

"We are assessing our options," said Lester Bagley, Vikings vice president of public affairs and stadium development. Pressed to define those options, Bagley declined. "We are assessing our options and until we sort that out, we don't have anything to say," he said.

Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett was less terse but more dire.

"What would you do if you had a chance to move to a new stadium [elsewhere] or fight the politics in Minnesota?" Bennett asked. "I think any businessperson would recommend they be gone."

Full article: http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 62973.html

[dkoby]

If I was Wilf, Id pack my #### asap. IF the state is eventually going to approve it, do it now, instead of next year when it will obviously be even more expensive. While I dont support the idea of the state giving him money, IF they are going to, it would only make sense to give them as little as possible, so waiting will only increase the cost. Politicians are just being politicians here. Im sure they have an idea as to wether it would pass or not, if not for the timing, so just be big boys/girls and pass it, or say "no thanks". Again, I dont support the state giving them a cent, but Im guessing they are just delaying it as they feel it will save political face, then approve next year, when Im sure the budget will be 100% in balance ( ), when the project will be more expensive. Wilf should give an altemadium, address the stadium issue this year, or bow out, and we'll weigh our options.

It's not their money. They didn't earn it. So, they never care about the economic consequences of their actions. The only thing they care about is getting RE elected. I'm as conservative as they come, but I see nothing wrong with this kind of public/private partnership. The State will certainly get all of it's money back between tax revenues and income taxes on the players and wage earners because of the stadium. This is the kind of investment that actually pays back the state.
One more thing, The rates to borrow the money are at historic lows, so yeah, you are right, now is the time.

[vikeinmontana]

If I was Wilf, Id pack my #### asap.

yep!

if these people can't see how important this is than so be it. pack your bags and head to cali. it'd take me some getting used to but the vikes will always be my team and the players and team shouldn't lose fans because some idiots are so short-sighted.

[Raptorman]

Two weeks of summer camp in Mankato. What does it mean to the community? Not much right? Well maybe.

“It’s about $5 million dollars of economic impact on this community,” said Anna Thill, president of the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There’s a lot of impact all around, and there’s a trickle down effect there that goes out throughout the community, whether you’re hospitality, business-related or not.”

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/06/1 ... ings-camp/

That's just one town for two weeks. If the politicians wait to long, they won't have to worry about it because the decision will be made for them. Then they will be fighting over the next 15 years to get another NFL team back in MN. I have said it before, no city that has lost and NFL team in the last 50 years ever felt it was good for the city. Every city that has lost a team, has worked even harder to get one back. And always at a greater expense.

[glg]

The only thing they care about is getting RE elected.

That's probably the stupidest part about this. It makes more sense for re-election to vote on a deal this year, when the elections are 16 months away, not next year when they're coming up. Vote for it this year and there will be people actively working on the new stadium next year when the elections come around. You can say you voted for jobs.

[purple guy]

So if they are not worried about their political career and re-election, why would they put it off for a year??? So it costs more?? So they dont have to have another special session?? Its politics. If it is for any reason, other than their political career, why wait?? IF they value the Vikings, waiting is a gamble, the Vikings easily could get fed up and leave. Also, if they have issue with using state money, it aint gonna be any cheaper to build next year.

As I stated, Im not in favor of giving them money, but waiting a year to give them money to save political face, is just stacking stupid on more stupid. If they want the Vikings, it should be addressed, NOW.

[dead_poet]

Governor: Vikings stadium bill this year was 'incomplete and unsatisfactory'; 2011 still iffy

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says the new stadium plan presented this year by the Vikings and Ramsey County was "incomplete and unsatisfactory."

Dayton's remarks came Wednesday at a news conference to discuss the state budget.

Team and county officials have expressed frustration the stadium has not yet been addressed. The $1.1 billion suburban project is slated for Arden Hills. But Dayton says the bill was not ready to be brought forward. He says he's concerned about the state being paid back for bonds it could issue to help pay for the stadium.

Dayton says he will "seriously consider" calling another special legislative session later this year if he sees a stadium plan that's a "good deal for Minnesota." He says this "takes every partner" and "that hasn't occurred yet."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 08048.html

[Eli]

Wow. Do you think he expressed those same sentiments in meetings with the Vikings?

A statement like that should be the last straw for the Wilfs. Start lining up suitors. The hell with Minnesota.