Life After Vikings

[harvey lee]

I truely believe that the money will be found and funded for a new stadium. It took some years for the Twins and the Vikes will get the stadium. The economy is very tough right now but it will not be forever. The NFL would have to agree to the Vikes leaving Minnesota. Not exactly a total choice for Zigy alone.

Shack, yes the North Stars left but, we do still have a hockey team.

[Shack]

Me to Tom, but it is cutting things very close and figure we have to keep this in mind, because it could happen. Just like it could happen that the Vikes win the Super Bowl. I am very sure they will stay, but unlike previous years leaving is the only option if something is no put in motion. It's a very clear and present danger I just do not take lightly. Plus the longer it waits, the more the costs go up. It's, I believe, double almost than it would have cost in the early 2000's.

LIMIT it is the point of the clip. I did not catch where it was shot, but the poll was not conducted just using Packers fans. Plus the image was not of Favre in his glory as a Packer, was it? Maybe nothing, but a far cry from just one year ago on what was being featured after a week 2 Monday night game about Favre. The Vikings did not even play yesterday and last nights game was one of the best I had seen in awhile. Then they chose to show this on ESPN right after the post game recap? I know it was late and not many saw it, but I used it just to show what they Vikes have become in national media coverage. Yes, I could see this and future things effecting stadium talks and even keeping the Vikes here.

[zepman]

The teams record will have no bearing on whether or not the franchise stays in Minnesota...in fact it's probably the last factor that anyone who will decide on this matter will even care about.

[Shack]

The teams record will have no bearing on whether or not the franchise stays in Minnesota...in fact it's probably the last factor that anyone who will decide on this matter will even care about.

Please Explain how?

A random computer generated "YES" or "NO" with no emotion or knowledge of current events?

So if we had a couple of SB wins since 1998, the Vikes would still be playing in a the Dome in 2010? Nope, I don't buy it. Winning gets you a stadium, the hope of winning gets you a stadium, not winning and looking like a joke on a national level "does" not get you a stadium. It comes down to public input and opinion. God help the Vikes if a meeting was held the Monday after the we loose the Wild Card Chance, after a horrible season. NO, I guess that would not effect public opinion at all?

Extreme example, but I hope you get my point.

[mrklean]

everyone says the twins got there stadium the vikes will get theres, the Pohlad family was from MN they never wanted to move the team and they actually cared about the fans, Ziggy doesnt give a rip about MN and the fans he cares about his pocketbook and a new place to play thats all.

[zepman]

The Pohlads almost contracted this team...sound familiar? They got their stadium.

You will hear more and more of a possible Viking move between now and the end of the next legislative session...posturing...reality...who knows, but they will get their stadium too.

[bottom-bouncer]

If they go they go honestly does it really matter. Should we all vote yes so we can pay even more taxes? I have been a vikings fan all of my life in the good years and the bad. But myself like many other minnesotans have bigger and much more important things to spend are money on. I have 6 kids that need an education unless you live in a cave you are well aware of the fact that education spending keeps getting cut. The education of my children as well as all of the other kids in this state is alot more important than building a stadium for a football team full of over paid underachiving premadona's. If ziggy wants to take them to L.A than so be it.

[zepman]

That's intersting...I just took a walk through my kids middle school a few weeks back and it's like the Taj Majal. Carpet from wall to wall and over 500 computers scattered throughout the building.

Compared to what I had...and most in here had...I'd say our kids and their schools our doing pretty darned good!!!

[curtistodd]

The twins have 81 home games a year plus exhibition games, plus playoffs, the Vikes have 8 plus 2, 3, or 4 more games. Would rather have entertainment 95 times a year or 12?? Easy answer Twins > Vikings. Im very happy the Twins got their stadium. If MN loses the vikings, then we can just all be stupid whiny bandwagoners with no football team, like North Dakotans.

[upnorth]

Football is a profit making venture, why are we even considering sponsoring a new stadium(shouldn't done it for the Twins either)? We are willing to let other businesses leave the state not even bat an eye lash! It is a game, nothing more nothing less. Need a football fix? Go watch a college or high school game.

[zepman]

Let's cut high school and college football too...and while we're at it it, let's just cut every sport that that is publicly funded in some manner.

There is a reason football is referred to as a "cash-cow"...

[CJH]

Let's cut high school and college football too...and while we're at it it, let's just cut every sport that that is publicly funded in some manner.

There is a reason football is referred to as a "cash-cow"...

For the Wilf's!!!!!

The U, even with their perpetual losing, generates enough $$ to pay for most of the other sports in the athletic department. I have no problem with the U having a new stadium.

The Vikings are privately owned by an out of state billionaire - no way I should be handing out welfare to him.

[zepman]

Yes, for the Wilf's...that's the way life works. Please don't forget about all the residual jobs and income that is brought in every day by the Vikings in one way or another.

[CJH]

Yes, for the Wilf's...that's the way life works. Please don't forget about all the residual jobs and income that is brought in every day by the Vikings in one way or another.

10 days a year - it isn't much in the grand scheme of things.

[zepman]

You just don't get it do you....

[flipper]

You just don't get it do you....

Neither do I get this so called residual income. Hard for me to see my hard earned money go to a bunch of millionaires playing a little kids game.

[Shack]

Funniest thing, we bring up "hard times" and "money" being needed else wheres, but one of the basic "free" stress, economical & society releasers is football.

Football became more of an important "pastime" for me after high school and learning the ways of life with barely any money, renting & splitting hairs, with a wife and child in tow. No matter how low on money we where at the time, financial troubles and the whole ball of wax, nothing beet escaping reality and sinking into football with the Vikes for 4 quarters on a Sunday midday. Prior to this I could have cared less about watching entire game. Just hearing the score threw my teens was good enough.

Not much you can do to have a little fun when you are down and out and escape your troubles other than 2 things:

1) Fishing

2) Sunday Pro Football (Pro Sports in General)

You can say this, that, and the other thing, but if life hits the fans, I find my family and myself in a 2 bedroom apartment and down to nothing, at least I know I can escape for an afternoon on Sunday during football season and feel good watching a home team.

[CJH]

You just don't get it do you....

Think its the other way around!!

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[CJH]

Not much you can do to have a little fun when you are down and out and escape your troubles other than 2 things:

1) Fishing

2) Sunday Pro Football (Pro Sports in General)

There are a ton of things you can do that don't cost hardly any money. Those maybe the things you prefer, and I enjoy both, but that's not exactly a good argument for public funding.

[Shack]

We have brought down before how much the state actually has to kick in and the return and payoff of the debt. It's not a loose situation like many other things that are funded heavily by the state. I am not into Cultural Arts, but could be in a later part of my life. As far as I know, when money is spent on these programs, there is no return. There is no payoff. I am sure others can list state funded things that are not paid off that have an open check when money is needed.

I just see places like Jacksonville where the local commerce and economy is in a panic about loosing an unwanted team by the public and is being pro-active. MN in my opinion seems comatose to the possibility of loosing the Vikes. Like "it cant happen here".

[Scott K]

It is funny how those against the stadium are Packer fans. Hmmm....

[CJH]

It is funny how those against the stadium are Packer fans. Hmmm....

You mean taxpayers???

[Scott K]

Would you feel different if your beloved Packers wanted a new stadium? If they said they would have to leave Wisconsin if they didnt get one? Oh wait, the state OWNS the team, and the stadium, and the state of Wisconsin has already been paying for it!

You are just against it because you are not a Vikings fan, and are against your tax dollars going to your opponent!

[Shack]

Is Burnsville in the Metro circle that would see a tax increase? Again, stigmas like this that the entire state will see a tax increase only inflames "those" who actually see a tax increase, but I am not sure if Burnsville constitutes as in the tax circle. You sure CJH? Have any proof to bring forward? I can not find any and this is the old plan, I assume you guys saw the video posted correct?

I am starting to think it is just a Packer thing . :

CJH the state/Mpls would not be paying upfront the total 800,000,000.00. Plus the Vikings will still have a "Lease" payment due on the new stadium. I think the teams upfront responsibility (out of pocket) is around $250-$260 (what they would like) & not to mention the NFL kicking in over $100-$150,000,000.00. I also thought back in 2005 (another time & place I know) Anoka County was will to cough up around $200,000,000.00 when it was going to built in Blaine for half of what it costs now. Thank you Minnesota Legislature.

Limit I know the little mom & pop stores that would not be able to compete with the extra taxes are a causality. Where ever a stadium goes up, I will bet their will be business lined up & waiting to get square footage anywhere within 10 miles of the new Vikings stadium. Loosing a small work forces is one thing. Loosing sleep over Hooters verses Applebee's and them having to charge extra for tax and if people will come or not, is for the da-birds.

Vikings Stadium Bill Introduced: Purple Plan, White Plan

Plan calls for scratch-off game, jersey taxes

Updated: Monday, 03 May 2010, 10:28 PM CDT

Published : Monday, 03 May 2010, 10:46 AM CDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Rumors, speculation and closed-door discussions have all led up to a Minnesota Vikings stadium bill introduced Monday at the State Capitol.

Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids) said only those who would benefit from a Vikings stadium would pay for it. The bipartisan bill calls the Vikings to pay for half the cost of the fixed-roof, multi-purpose stadium, with the rest covered by a scratch-off lottery game and taxes on rental cars, area hotels and jersey purchases.

"We’re encouraged," Vikings Vice President of Public Affairs and Stadium Development Lester Bagley said. "There's enough time in the session that we can package something together that fits Minnesota and those who use or benefit should pay."

Time is surely a factor. The bipartisan bill starts a fast-ticking clock to get a stadium deal done this spring, with only about two weeks remaining in the legislative session. But before a stadium bill is address, Minnesota legislatures must first deal with the budget.

“Our highest priority is balancing the state budget,” Solberg said. “Until the budget is balanced, we will not send this bill to the governor’s desk. We will not pass a bill that adds a nickel to the deficit, or takes a dime from nursing homes, schools, roads, or hospitals.”

“No deals have been made, and no plans are set in stone,” Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) said. “Like every other bill the legislature considers, this bill will be fully vetted in committee. Amendments will be offered, and public testimony will be taken. This decision will not be made in some back room – it will be made by all Minnesotans through an honest and responsible legislative process.”

The plan requires no money from the state's general fund be used for a Vikings stadium, protecting money for schools, roads, healthcare or other state programs. The Vikings would pay $264 million up-front for construction costs. The remaining $527 million would be paid over 40 years, covered with specific taxes and a lottery game and broken down like this:

Area hotels (1.5% surtax): $8 million

Jersey purchases (6.875%): $16.9 million

Sports-themed scratch off: $5.5 million

Rental cars: $5.5 million

The plan requires any cost overruns to be paid in full by the Vikings. The team would also be required to sign a 40-year lease on the new stadium, protecting taxpayers if the team is sold and relocated.

Two versions of the plan were introduced with the bill: the Purple Plan and the White Plan.

Purple Plan: PDF White Plan: PDF

Under the Purple Plan, the Minnesota Stadium Authority would be established. The plan is also site-neutral, allowing any city to bid for the stadium. Under the White Plan, the stadium would be owned and operated by the city of Minneapolis, which could also use downtown entertainment taxes to pay for the stadium. Those taxes are currently applied toward the Minneapolis Convention Center, which will be paid off in 2020.

Minneapolis likes the idea of a public-private partnership, but is cool to using tax money from the Convention Center for a stadium. Mayor R.T. Rybak says no detailed talks have taken place between lawmakers, the Vikings and city hall. Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat says the same is true on the county level.

Anoka County, Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul are also possibilities at this point, but nothing is confirmed.

If built, the stadium could host up to 300 major events annually, including conventions, concerts and amateur sports events. Bids would also be placed for the Super Bowl, NCAA men's basketball Final Four and other high-profile events.

Quote:

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―

The ceremonial first pitch at Target Field today from a man to whom the Minnesota Twins may owe a great deal: Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat.

Opat led the drive to build the ballpark in downtown Minneapolis. The county imposed a sales tax to pay for Target Field, some of the money is used for local projects that have nothing to do with the Twins.

At the time, the bill was so controversial it passed the legislature in the middle of the night by just one vote.

No one lost an election because of it. And even opponents of stadium subsidies were excited.

Here's the REALITY.

Hennepin County put up the money, $350 million over 30 years, funded by a .015 percent sales tax.

For every $20 spent on taxable items in Hennepin County, there's an extra three cents tacked on for the ballpark.

But the money pays for a lot more than just Target Field.

IN FACT....

Thirteen Hennepin County public libraries are open more days and longer hours because of the stadium tax.

The law requires up to $2 million of the stadium sales tax -- every year -- must be used to extend library hours. They're called Ballpark Sundays and Mondays.

That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

Part of the stadium tax will go to local youth sports programs.

The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission has already awarded the first 17 grants.

Some are as small as $10,000 for tee-ball fields in Corcoran, while others are as large as $345,000 for lighting baseball fields in St. Anthony Village.

For the next 30 years, the stadium sales tax will build, repair and renovate amateur sports facilities across Hennepin County.

Here is what you NEED TO KNOW.

Target Field's price tag is $545 million.

Hennepin County taxpayers will put up a total of $350 million over the next 30 years.

The Twins share is $195 million. That's just a little more than Joe Mauer's 8-year contract.

That's Reality Check.

Again, if you go down to Target Field before or after the game, spread out about 4-6 blocks and try to buy a beer or check out from a retailer this week. If you just got off the space ship from Mars, you would have "no clue" this county and state is in any kind of slump or recession.

This is just a little bit of this article:

Quote:

Northstar drawing SRO crowds for Twins games

Twins fans heading to the ballpark from the north and west are enjoying the ride.

By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune

As the Twins play to near-sellout crowds at Target Field, the Northstar trains taking fans to and from games are doing a standing-room-only business of their own.

Trains scheduled specifically for Twins games have become so popular that a sixth passenger car has been added to each one -- even though platforms can readily accommodate only five.

A train added specifically for the game against Boston on Thursday, April 15, attracted so many Northstar riders -- 2,118 -- that two buses had to be sent to the Fridley station for fans who couldn't get on the train, said Metro Transit spokesman Bob Gibbons.

Many Twins fans from western Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota are driving to Big Lake and then using the Northstar family rate to take the 41-mile ride to Target Field and avoiding downtown parking fees and hassles, said Chuck Heintz, a Big Lake City Council member who referred to surveys of license plates taken in Northstar lots.

In addition, some fans from northeast Minneapolis appear to be driving to Fridley and taking Northstar trains downtown, Gibbons said. On most business days, 125 cars park in the Fridley Northstar lot. But during a recent weekend game, that number was 254, Gibbons said.

"We want people to get acquainted with Northstar," Gibbons said of the six-month-old commuter line that runs between Big Lake and Target Field, with stops in Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids and Fridley. "And the excellent ridership we're getting for Twins games is helping us do that."

I will bet that not one business has moved around Target Field since it has opened or the additional sales tax was implemented solely because the taxes went up. Why would they? They are making BooKoo bucks from the bags of popcorn to our hotel being booked solid because of the rain delay and people wanted to go to both games on Saturday and the one on Sunday.

[Shack]

Would you feel different if your beloved Packers wanted a new stadium? If they said they would have to leave Wisconsin if they didnt get one? Oh wait, the state OWNS the team, and the stadium, and the state of Wisconsin has already been paying for it!

You are just against it because you are not a Vikings fan, and are against your tax dollars going to your opponent!

Yeah! CJH constantly bring up the issues about not being able to see Packers games on TV. Here he is not even paying anything for them and still wants his way. Just razing ya CJH.