Vikings Stadium Solution

As winter is drawing to a close, albeit not without a fight, the 2011 legislative session will not be far behind. This session is crucial to the future of the Vikings here in Minnesota. The Vikings have stadium bill sponsors ready to take the debate to commitee and hopefully to a full vote in both chambers. At which time, if passed, our Governor Mark Dayton will be ready to sign. That is if it is a "peoples stadium" as he puts it, benefiting the people of Minnesota and available for year round use.

This in itself is not a deal breaker although the Vikings have stated publicly there desire for an outdoor stadium and willingness to pay around 1/3 the cost of that facility. The problem is the extra burden it creates trying to find a funding mechanism to include the extra cost and negotiating with the Vikings regarding the additional cost as well.

Overall the last few weeks things have progressed quite nicely on the stadium front. There are several sites now under consideration including the current metrodome site, a site near Target Field, one in Brooklyn Center, and finally in Arden Hills at the former home of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. The Arden Hills site appears to have the most traction to this point as it also has local partners in the Ramsey County Board & Arden Hills City Council. Both of which passed resolutions in support of studying the Vikings proposal with all available options including risks and benefits to the local community.

That brings us to where we sit today with no clear funding mechanism, although many options are currently available. Most, if not all, of the opposition to a new Vikings Stadium focuses on not using general fund money and not imposing new taxes. In addition the state of Minnesota is currently facing tough budget decisions for the next 2 years. Complicating things even further is the lack of a current CBA in the NFL which addresses the availabilty of G-3 funding for new stadiums. This is significant as the New Meadowlands in NY which hosts both the Jets & Giants was funded in part by G-3 funds under the old CBA. Each team received a reported $150 million towards the facility from this fund.

Many reports have CBA negotations going better than anticipated with a deal possible within the week. This could be vital to negotiations for a Vikings Stadium Solution. If included in the new CBA, continuation of the G-3 program and additional contributions from Viking ownership puts the situation on solid ground. Once the status of G-3 funds is established expect things to move quickly. Additional funding would most likely come from user fees including ticket taxes, parking taxes, sales taxes within the new venue and a sports memorabilia sales tax. A hospitality or stadium district tax has also been discussed as well as a Racino which would reportedly create $100 million per year in revenue for the state. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as the situation will be heating up.

To show your support for a stadium solution and a peoples stadium more information is available at:

Http://www.minnesotamomentum.com

OR

Http://www.savethevikes.org

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