Well, this is getting interesting.
Not long after a meeting between AEG and the Vikings to supposedly discuss only the creation of an L.A. Live-style complex at Arden Hills, Minnesota, Tim Leiweke of AEG has included the Vikings in a list of five teams with which AEG has spoken regarding the possibility of a sale and relocation.
The Vikings are now tiptoeing around the stuff that came from Leiweke’s two lips.
Per Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com,Vikings V.P. of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley said that the team is “100 percent focused on getting the job done in Minnesota.”
Bagley also said there has been no contact with AEG since the May 24 meeting regarding the Arden Hills project.
“We believe we’re in position to get our situation resolved this year in a special session,” Bagley said. “That’s where our energy is focused.”
So is now there a rift between AEG and the Vikings? Hardly. The Vikings are going to try to get a deal done in Minnesota. And they can truly say they’re “100 percent focused” on making that happen. If it doesn’t happen, a certain percentage of that focus may drift to California.
Indeed, consider Bagley’s words carefully. At no point does he deny talking to AEG about a possible relocation. He only says that the Vikings are focused on building a stadium in Minnesota.
Even if the Vikings never would move to Los Angeles, the specter of a Lakers-style exodus should be enough to get the people in Minnesota to realize that they could end up losing their NFL team.