VIKES SOLD !!!! $625 MILLION $$$$$$$$$

[Farley]

I think it is about a new stadium, that is what's going to decide the Vikes fate as far as what city they represent after the next 6 years. IF they win a championship or possibly two, then yes it would be easier to get a new stadium, but let's be realistic, we cant count on that to get the stadium built. The stadium issue should be a HUGE issue to the next owner.

But...Right now, in Minnesota, if any pro sports team should get a new stadium, it's the Twins.

[Down to Earth]

I'm probably in the minority on stadium issues, but I believe the only reasons owners want a new stadium is to increase the value of their team and allow them to make more money. With the salary cap in the NFL, revenue sharing, and an new increased $$ TV deal, I doubt any of the teams are losing money. New stadiums aren't going to allow the team to go out and spend more money to bring more talent in. It's not like baseball where the Twins spend $40 million a year and the Yankees spend $200. Everything is even. I think there are more important issues for the tax payers than building stadiums for multi-million dollar owners to own. The only way I'd vote for a stadium, is if in some way the state is able to gain benefit from the revenue generated by the stadium.

[fishyguy]

In principal building stadiums for these owners is foolish, in reality it is a must, in my opinion.

The teams will eventually leave without them. With them will go tax money. That money is more than just tickets, concessions, and parking. It is the $60 million plus income tax on the salaries these players make, the millions made by players who come here to play (yes, A-Rod, Farve, etc.. all pay income tax to MN on the games played here according to some sources I checked). It is also the jobs lost. So you see, we can have our taxes raised to get a stadium or we can get our taxes raised to make up for all that lost revenue. It comes down to, do you want the team here or not? Either way it is going to cost you regardless of your position.

[Down to Earth]

With your opinion, I'm sure you've seen studies that support that and I can definately respect that, but I've read too many studies in which stadiums have negative effects overall on many different fronts. I see you are from St. Paul so being close to everything probably impacts your feelings on the subject as well, but I'm down in Rochester so being away definately plays into my opinion.

You may be right on players from other teams playing MN income tax, but to me that doesn't sound right. You may have some good sources on that. I worked in pro baseball and never had to pay taxes to any other state than the state in which I resided.(Which worked out great cause at the time I lived in TN and they didn't have a state income tax.) Doesn't make sense for a player who plays for say Dallas, resides in Texas, is employed by a Texas company to pay taxes to Minnesota because he played 1 game of football here. Any accountants out there who would know?

[the clam]

i agree , i dont believe players out of state pays taxes here , thats hard to believe id half to see proof of that , but anyways i just dont see a new stadium being the sole reason the vikes stay here ..... i dont think the vikes are going anywhere .. fowler already said he wasent moving them anyways.. i dont think theres anything wrong with the dome .... jus my opinion!!!!!

[the clam]

BESIDES I DONT THINK GLEN TAYLOR WOULD GET ANY CLOSER TO A NEW STADIUM ..... DO YOU ?

[lawdog]

They actually are taxed on the income they make here, at least technically. Its been discussed numerous times when the discussion of losing the teams comes up. What you have to understand though is that many states have their own income tax and then there are reciprocity agreements between the states so there isn't double taxation. Its very complicated and I don't know all the details, but technically at least I think its a true statement to say their income is taxable here.

[fishyguy]

Thank you, you are correct they are not double taxed and there is reciprocity between states. The point is still the same which is without a stadium we will lose the team (eventually) and our taxes will be raised to make up for the lost tax revenue (or even more cuts to programs). So I guess my question is still the same...Do you want the team here or not? The end result for each of us will be the same. I agree that those in the outstate areas will see the least benefit but unless it is solely state funded, you will also give the least to a stadium. The county or city it goes in will collect from its citizens for their portion of the contributions.

[Farley]

Glen Taylor has a lot of friends in the legeislature, since he used to be one of them, so yes, I THINK GLEN TAYLOR CAN GET US CLOSER TO A NEW STADIUM! I'M SO CONFIDENT IN THAT I FEEL THE NEED TO SHOUT IT! Sorry Clam, couldnt resist, remember to hit your caps lock key.

Also I dont want to start an argument, I'm just expressing opinions, but you've said twice now that you dont see anything wrong with the Dome. One major thing I see wrong with the Dome is that it wont keep the Vikes in Minnesota. And as much as it should be, it's not really Fowler's decision, if the NFL, the governing body of football, want's the Vikes to go to L.A., they will go to L.A. All Fowler can do is either sell them at this point or go along for the ride.

[lawdog]

Quote:

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One major thing I see wrong with the Dome is that it wont keep the Vikes in Minnesota. And as much as it should be, it's not really Fowler's decision, if the NFL, the governing body of football, want's the Vikes to go to L.A., they will go to L.A. All Fowler can do is either sell them at this point or go along for the ride.

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I don't think that's accurate at all. If the owners of the Vikes are not interested in moving the NFL won't make them move. The only reason they may move if they can't get a new stadium is because the dome limits their revenues due to the lease and the Mike Lynn clause on the revenues as well as some of the box/suite issues. If they had a renovation of the dome and fixed the revenue issues so the owner was happy with the money he was making the dome wouldn't necessitate any kind of move.

[Guest]

They have already looked into renovating the dome. After everything is said and done, the dome would still be a pit and you'd be out half of what it would cost to build a new one.

Problems with the dome-

1)Seating bites big time. Cramped, poor sightlines and uncomfortable.

2)Concourses are too narrow

3)The suites are some of the worst an ANY arena. It's hard to sell them to coorporations if they are as run down as they are.

4)Concessions. The variety and quality are also some of the worst in ANY league.

5)Field surface. TERRIBLE. One reason we find it difficult bringing in free agents.

and on and on.

The Dome needs to be blown up. It did since the day it was built.

[Farley]

I bet the NFL can be pretty persuasive. Big Corporations get what they want, the NFL is a big corporation. Again, just my opinion.

[Born2Fish]

Another thing a new stadium would bring would be more jobs. Simply renovating the dome(as they did in chicago and green bay) won't do much other than make it look a LITTLE more pretty. Plus with a new stadium seating capacity could and would be boosted up. All in all it's something thats FAR off in the future. Right now we need to deal with them changing hands in ownership, and the team this year. And from what I understand from channel 5 news is there are now questions about Fowler's past. He had said he played in the NFL but a report came out that he never made it past training camp. He also stated that he was in a Little League World Series. But there are no known records of him ever playing. I know this may be minor things, but the big overall picture is(to me anyways)how much truth can we actually believe from this man. If he says he was all these things and wasn't. Who's to say that when he said there is 0 chance of moving the Vikings he won't? I think even IF the Vikings were to move for some odd reason. Minnesota big wigs would get the money together to start a new team. I couldn't see Mr. Taylor letting something as proud a tradition as the Vikings go away for very long.