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[Tinkhamtown]

Save the Vikings

Went to the state capital rally on Thursday along with about two dozen other Vikings fans. Lots of media types both newspaper and television were there. Listened to several speakers including Matt Blair, Bob Lurtsema, Cory Merrifield, and Rep. Tom Hackbarth. Everything seemed to boil down to finding an innovative way to fund a new stadium and keep the Vikings here. If anyone thinks it is impossible for Minnesota to lose the Vikings all you have to do is remember the North Stars, Baltimore Colts, and the Cleveland Browns.

Rep Tom Hackbarth is going to sponsor a constitution amendment that all Minnesotans would get a chance to veto on (just like the Minnesota legacy bill) that would tax expanded gaming (slots machines) at Running Aces in Forest Lake and Canterbury Park in Shakopee. He said this would generate the necessary funds 50 million a year to pay for a stadium. This would be a voluntary tax on only the people that choose to gamble, would create more jobs at both the Racinos and also in the building trades when the new stadium is built.

For all the Vikings fans, this is a quality of life issue, a Minnesota resource of great entertainment value that gives us a quality life we do not want to loose to another state or country. Please email or call your state senator and state representative asking them to SAVE THE VIKINGS.

Thanks

Tink

[croixflats]

Want an inventive way to raise money volunteeringly? Create a big ole pot and have the Football league put a % of monies in there then Ziggy put a % in there then then the players then the networks a percentage then the rest can be donations from corporations and fans. Or cut these over payed salaries to the players and coaches then select a city that most needs a stadium and use that money to build a stadium then do it again when that money saved from over paying players and coaches has accumulated enough. Right there the just became self sufficient with out on relying on the public to subsidise there business or corporation.

[rufishin]

The taxes the Vikes help generate now will be lost along with the National prestige and ensuing busines and opportunities.

Being pennywise and dollar poor is not the way to go here. We need to find innovative ways to keep the Vikes here. Using gambling tax revenue that we currently are not receiving because of the current monopoly is dollarwise. It's a painless way for the Vikes to be funded unless you are currently enjoying the gambling monopoly that currently pays no tax to the state.

If you think losing the Vikes won't hurt you and those you care about if the Vikes leave you better do your homework rather than using all the same tired old rhetoric.

The taxes the Vikes pay will be lost along with all of the business generated because of them and the jobs and tax revenue they create. My bet is they already pay for what they are asking for.

There's a good reason Cleveland and LA now, fought or are fighting to get an NFL team back after foolishly letting them slip away.

The entire state and you will lose if we follow the same tired old rhetoric and let our Vikes slip away.

[croixflats]

Talk about the same ole reteric. Taxes and pay will be made up some where else if invested in propper areas. Let them go. It is a mad circle these sports franchises have us in to fund there buisness. Put that money into self sustaining areas that can grow with out coming back every 15 to 20 years for more hand outs, next time it will be double the price again .

A billion dollers can go along way to if properly invested. I just dont agree in putting all that money in one area.

[rufishin]

Same ol' tired rhetoric....

Can you believe it, croixflats is saying let the Vikes go...

follow his advice if that's what you want to lose along with the other businesses, jobs and tax revenues that will follow suit.

If you want to keep the Vikes you better contact your State Representative and Senator because you can count on folks like croixflats to do their best to cause us to lose our Vikings.

They are a GREAT investment for our state. Just ask LA, Cleveland or any place that let their NFL team slip away.

[croixflats]

Anybody can talk themselves into a toy even if it is not feasable.

And with that billion doller investment new a new tax base can replace what is there and help more poeple

[rufishin]

What other billion dollar investment?

Now you're talking fairy tales.

Let's throw away our Vikings for a fairy tale you dream up.

Folks, there are a lot of dreamers like croixflats out there contacting our reps to let the Vikes go.

We better do our part if we want to keep our Vikings.

Contact your reps today.

[T&KK]

Just a quick 2 cents from me and i'll try not to spark to many flames.... Football is a huge revenue builder. Lets look at the obvious: sporting goods stores, gas stations, grocery, restaurants and bars, and so on get hevily increased sales from football. Take the vikings away and minnesota businesses lose a lot of sales revenues. What are they going to sell, Minnesota swarm jerseys. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching them too, but not nearly as much as the purple and gold and this year alone, I would say we have spent an extra $300 just because the vikings are playing on Sunday.

[croixflats]

That $300 will get spent, just on something else, Right? So maybe that $300 didnt go to the Vikes and the buisnesses around the area but it still ends up in someone els's pocket helping that buisness out and the same amount of taxes still went to the state.

[T&KK]

probably unrelated to the local business near my house.

[croixflats]

Maybe it was next to mine. So my local area gets the shaft.

[T&KK]

point is, some small businesses capitalize on what football brings to the area (throughout the state, and some neighboring regions). Businesses rely on this time of the year to spur increased sales. Sure, the sales would be reallocated, but we might as well shrink our population to near 700,000 and be north dakota, unable to support a professional football team. Of course if we lose the vikings, then south dakota, north dakota, Iowa, and minnesota will have to say go pack.... and that doesn't sound very benifitial to my health

[rufishin]

Let it go croixflats and let others voice their opinion without your constant badgering. First Tinkhamton, then me and now T&KK are the targets of your badgering.

We all get it that you want to let our Minnesota Vikings as well as the jobs and tax revenue they help create go elsewhere.

Maybe to Wisconsin where it's closer to you.

Let it go. You've had your say. Let others talk besides you and me.

Vikings fans, now you see what we're up against if croixflats is an example?

Contact your reps today if you want to keep our Minnesota Vikings here.

[croixflats]

Who's doing the badgering? You had your say and apparently you dont like it when someone disagrees? So then you stoop to name calling in a passive aggressive way then rendering an opinion of me. Cant help it if you dont like what I have to say or if you dislike my zealousness or personality thats who I am. But if you think attacking a person to force your opinion more power to you, I guess

[randyfaas]

As a Packer fan living in Minneapolis, I just want to chime in that I really hope the people of Minnesota don't let the Vikings walk. It's a great rivalry, and would be a loss for the entire NFC North (however that would work). I would even be willing to pay a "stadium tax" to keep them here. Now if the rest of the infamous bandwagon Vikings fans can just get on board (JK, lol). Having a Packer Hall of Famer on your team should help.

Seriously, though, I hope they don't leave.

[randyfaas]

...then again, it would be kinda cool to have Minnesota be Packer territory.

[LMITOUT]

A private sports organization is a quality of life issue? geeesh!

How about focusing on the REAL local issues such as education, health care, or digging ourselves out of this massive debt that the ruling majority in St. Paul has created? Priorities, people.

You're right about this being similar to the dedicated funding amendment....nothing but selfishness, fearmongering, and outright lies are driving it.

[Rick]

Spoken like a true Packer fan LMIT..

I support getting a new Vikings stadium.

If we can do it for the Twins and Minnesota Gophers, we should get it done for the Vikings as well.

They are a source of pride and prestige for Minnesota and I too feel they are good for business and jobs in Minnesota.

Go Vikes

[Scott K]

We cant let them leave, but now is not the time to get a new stadium, but is there ever a good time? I could'nt imagine life with out the Vikes in the winter.

[LMITOUT]

Nothing says the Vikings will stay even with a new stadium. They are a private organization and can do what they want.

In fact, I hope the state does buy them a new stadium and they pack up and leave shortly after. Maybe then the people of this state will WAKE UP.

[Scott K]

I think if the state buys them a stadium ,the state should be part owners in the team, and assuring that the team stays in MN forever!

[Rick]

Actually I'm sure the team will have to stay as part of the Stadium package.

LMIT is just using a little of his Packer-backer mis-direction.

Let's get this stadium deal done.

[zamboni]

...then again, it would be kinda cool to have Minnesota be Packer territory.

I'd be dead before I would consider myself a Packers fan

[LMITOUT]

LMIT is just using a little of his Packer-backer mis-direction.

The only misdirection happening here is the the public lobbing/buying a new stadium for Ziggy, who is a multi-millionaire in case anybody didn't know.

[croixflats]

Can you imagine the increase in value the Viking corperation goes up with a nearly free stadium? Na, Ziggy would not be looking at that aspect for maybe selling the franchise at huge profit like McCombes did.