After a long wait it appears the Vikings stadium bill is about to get a chance in the 2011 legislature. This is a critical year for the Vikings future in Minnesota. Their lease is up at the end of the 2011 season and they will not renew. The dome is without a roof and no definite date has been set for it to be fit for use. The budget debate for this biennium is drawing to a close and the legislature promised resolution of this issue in the 2006 session when the Vikings stepped aside for the Twins & Gophers stadiums. Recent polls suggest widespread support of the bill about to be introduced with 64% supporting it in a Star Tribune Poll & 70% in the Pioneer Press Poll. Additional support is also out there if it includes a higher Vikings contribution.
The bottom line for this issue however isn't about the money itself because no matter the issue a certain segment of the population will always oppose it. The issue is do we want the Vikings to remain in Minnesota and are they a benefit to us? The answer to both of these questions is or should be yes.
The Vikings have been in Minnesota since 1961 with many highs and lows, including the last NFL championship in 1969 before the merger in 1970, although it was in the Super Bowl era. The Vikings have been to 4 Super Bowls in 50 years and several NFC Championship games on top of that. They have provided us many memories and established a rich tradition here in Minnesota.
The success of the Vikings has drawn the eyes of the nation to our community, bringing us regional and national recognition. They have helped increase our competitiveness, bringing new businesses and citizens to our community while helping to retain others due to our regional and national exposure. They have become part of our identity and add to our quality of life as one of many diverse activities for people to enjoy. They drive huge revenue streams and are responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes recouped by the state of Minnesota. The state of Minnesota has never paid a penny to support the Vikings in Minnesota or to retain them as a state asset. Many people in this community have jobs because of the Vikings directly and indirectly.
The Vikings make donations of time and memorabilia to support those less fortunate as well as cash contributions to support children and families going through difficult times and issues. They value their place in our community and are always looking for ways to contribute and to be an asset. They could easily do better in a larger market but are proud of who they are and what they have established here in Minnesota. They are looking to be part of a larger solution building our community and economy.
The Vikings in 50 years have never had a permanent home that they could call their own or that was worthy of an NFL franchise that has provided us with so much. Met Stadium was a minor league baseball park at best, one of low quality that they had to share with the Twins & Kicks. While the Metrodome is a poorly planned practice facility that provides a poor fan experience and is one of the most despised facilities nationwide in all of sports history, with poor amenities for fan and athletes alike. All of the other pro and college teams in Minnesota sports history (not counting those in leagues that folded) have at one time or another been given a permanent home that they could call their own, the only exception to that is the Vikings.
A rough estimate for a new stadium would cost around $30 mil per year for 30 yrs. The Vikings have already pledged to pay 1/3 the total cost of a stadium the people of Minnesota would own. The remaining total would be paid by fans and businesses benefiting from a new venue through user fees/taxes directly tied to the new venue and its host community, through a racino or possibly a hotel/rental car tax that would mainly be paid by those visiting Minnesota. In other words all options being considered are low impact with regards to the majority of the public in Minnesota & $0 general fund dollars used. No state programs would be affected as all budget issues would have been addressed prior to introduction of this legislation.
The Vikings are currently responsible for $20 mil per year going into the general fund which is expected to rise to around $25-30 mil in a new venue. This is on top of rent and/or maintenance payments the Vikings would pay, as agreed to in any final legislation. These numbers do not reflect all the jobs and businesses benefiting from the Vikings and the taxes they pay or all the money pumped into the economy.
This isn't charity or welfare, this is supporting a business beneficial to Minnesota and keeping what we have worked so hard to build, not having to pay more later after realizing our mistake and starting over. We have made that mistake twice before with the Lakers and North Stars allowing two other communities to cash in on the fruits of our labor.
The Time Is Now!
To show your support, get constant updates on the stadium situation & to CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR, PLEASE visit:
www.savethevikes.org/huddle-up/
www.vikings.com
You can also show your support on twitter by following:
@savethevikesorg
@mnmomentum
@vikingsfootball
SKOL VIKES!!
VOYAGEUR COUNTRY-RED ZONE: Fans perspective and analysis of the Minnesota Vikings, other favorite NFL teams on occassion including Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. Additional opinions on traditional rivals the Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears as well as other hated teams the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
