Comments on: Vikings quiet in the wake of shift in funding plan

By: getreal4

getreal4 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:19:33 +0000

this is sick, and minnesota doesn’t deserve a nfl franchise!..To all those penny pinching cheapies, do you seriously think that losing this franchise is going to save you tax money? do you realize how much revenue this organization brings to the state every single year? out of staters, travel, tourism, shopping, motels, restaurants, just to name a few, not to mention do you realize how much property taxes and dues the owners pay to the state each year? yea, in the upside of 200 mill….just wait until thats all gone in minnesota and then come back and email me to let me know how much your taxes have been raised to make up for the loss of this team that the taxpayers have caused, and for those that think wilf should fund most or the entire project, serious? first off wilf is a business man that already pays his dues to your taxes, and brings in all the above mentioned, so he should buy the stadium himself to keep a couple dollars in your pocket? ridiculous!!….i am a life long viking fan and from a nearby state that travels twice a year every year so i can enjoy 2 games i will no longer support this team nor give a single dollar to the state of minnesota, and have instead secured tickets to 1 game in green bay! hey at least they will pay to keep their team!!!

By: zpfeifer7mn

zpfeifer7mn — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:35:21 +0000

I can’t believe we’re going to lose the vikings in MN. Nobody realizes that in 90 days when the viking’s metrodome lease expires theres nothing keeping them in M N. They’ll have any city which would like a NFL franchise putting together deals to attract them to their cities. And then the viking’s won’t have to put up a penny let alone the half billion plus cost run ups they’ve already committed too. I understand the politics and ethics but come on,i grew up watching games with my father and someday hope to pass that tradition on to my children. I can’t even explain how heartbroken I’d be if our Minnesota Vikings left…. Please dont let that happen. People willl quickly get over a tax for a new stadium, just like they did for the twins and gophers (why the hell couldnt gophers used the metrodome, or of built nfl capable stadium to share with purple,that baffles me)stadium. But the loss felt from losing the MN Vikings will motivate voters for generations. Bring out the hit-list for politicians who kept a deal from getting done. “blood will be shed before tears are dried”

By: nema100

nema100 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:31:34 +0000

What national readers may not know is Minnesota ran a state deficit last year and only got the government operating because they have ‘borrowed ‘ funds from schools across the State and there does not appear to be any time soon when this will get repaid. This has left local communities reeling to offset this loss of funds.

So when a billionaire keeps aggressively asking for public taxes to pay for a new stadium, when there’s one right now with a new roof he could lease again, people begin to wonder the value said billionaire brings to the table. And most studies show the teams and the revenues they bring in are basically a wash.

While some may be blinded by their love of football, the truth is, the NFL and the Vikings owner are businesses wrongfully looking for a public handout at the worst possible time.

By: thingamajig

thingamajig — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:49:43 +0000

This problem can be solved easily if the 9 billion dollar NFL will just give or loan the Vikes a few hundred million.

By: glac1

glac1 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:53:26 +0000

No time to comment… they’re busy making reservations with U-Haul……… Welcome to the wild, wooly nasty NFC West…….

By: smarterthantheaveragebearfan

smarterthantheaveragebearfan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:09:32 +0000

The winds of change are sweeping thru Minnesota. The right wing Tea Party and left wing OWS groups have put all politicians on notice that government handouts to the rich and powerful are not acceptable.

Whether its TARP or Wall St bailouts, the average American (the 99%) are about to flex their muscle against the 1% that own most of this country and are mad that they starting to be held accountable.

You saw it in Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Libya. You are now seeing it the USA. The mega rich 1% (and the politicians they own) have a choice-they can voluntarily redistribute their obscene wealth throughout the population or have it taken from them.

By: hodag54501

hodag54501 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:01:47 +0000

With a semi-smirk on my face…from a Packers fan…I ask the question again–why not upgrade the University of Minnesota stadium?
Yes, I know, the egos involved what their own temples.
But if public tax money is required, why not limit the amount?
It seems stupid to build a new stadium when the current NEW U-M facility sits empty much of the year. I admit other sports use that facility, but isn’t finding solutions among top-level minds part of an academic mission?
The stadium could be engineered to add on the NFL level skyboxes and profit garnering ventures, which would also provide a revenue stream for the U-M.
But that’s the catch, isn’t it? Owners want it ALL for themselves and the taxpayers have to fund it.

But it’s still a field that’s 100 yards long and 50 some yards wide. With that as a basis, you can go forward from there.
But here in Lambeau-land, the folks are going to cough up $200 for a piece of paper that says you’re a stockholder in a non-profit organization. They will get nothing out of it financially, the team will add on to the stadium where WE CAN WATCH THE PACKERS BEAT THE VIKINGS!
Amen.

By: deeppurple23

deeppurple23 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:57:17 +0000

This is so typical of MN. They find a way to keep the Twins even though the team was to be contracted. They find a way to give the gophers a new stadium, even though they’ve sucked for years. The most popular team in the state…screw off, see ya. What?!? they left, quick build a stadium to get a new team here…

As a Viking fan I hope that they leave, maybe then they’ll win a championship, it worked for the Lakers and it worked for the NorthStars. And I’m just looking for the championship, just don’t do something stupid like leave the name, it hasn’t worked in Cleveland (where the old Browns won a title). The people of MN have proven that they don’t deserve an NFL team.

By: dyna42

dyna42 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:19:35 +0000

I hate to be political, but I think i need to….Just for a moment.

Minnesota has been going back and forth on this issue with the stadium for quite some time. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty was always against the State to give in to the laws regarding “vegas style” casinos, which are solely operatated in Minnesota by non taxed Tribal Communities.

This “Crafted” plan by our Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton is nothing short of a political agenda. I have to think this whole thing is nothing more than a new source of revenue generation by adding laws relaxing the stronghold of Tribal Communities in The State of Minnesota. Brilliant. There has been long debates on the issue, so why not get the backing of the people on this, in this very emotional time. We lose the Vikings, which is the number one sports franchise in the state, or we keep them. We keep them so long as our republicans in Minnesota decide to change their stance on legalized state gambling, taking on the Tribal Communities. Something Minnesota has long avoided and Tribal communities strongly oppose. This source of revenue will be long and full of legal actions…It is time for Minnesota to gets its share of taxes from gambling proceeds. Property, sales, and income taxes are pretty much maxxed out in the state. Lets use new “state run” gaming proceeds for the Stadium, then use it for Roads, Environment…after the stadium is “paid for.” I love the Vikings and have been my team the last 40 years. A lot of disappoints thru the years. It would be a bigger disappointment than any other if they left the state. If they do leave…who to blame??? I think Gov Dayton has that figured out. Brillant.

By: jimmysee

jimmysee — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:18:25 +0000

The anti-tax under any circumstances ranting of the GOP amplified by the tea party loonybags poisoned the political climate for financing a stadium by use of tax dollars.

The Vikings do add to quality of life in the community.

Tax dollars would not be the sole means of funding.

But thanks to the absolute no compromise positions of those mentioned above, the Vikes will soon call L.A. home.

Minnesota is a victim of circumstance. It ain’t pretty.

By: ajtexans

ajtexans — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:11:56 +0000

Blaming it on tea partiers. That’s a new one. Like the far left libs would overwhelmingly approve lining the pockets of another ‘millionaire and billionaire’ with money that could be used to feed the government bureaucracy.

Do you want a professional football team or not?

By: 4thandnone

4thandnone — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:59:44 +0000

Why don’t they just fix up the dome? If money is the problem then go with the cheaper option and remodel what is already in place.

By: snarkzilla

snarkzilla — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:52:37 +0000

There are still people in Brooklyn who would queue up to kill Buzzie Bavasi on sight if he ever came back from the dead. Don’t mention the name “Irsay” in Baltimore unless you use the word “hate” in conjunction with it. Ask someone from Cleveland to name one good thing about Art Modell, but do it from a distance.

Where is the passion for keeping the Vikings at home?

By: The Doctor

The Doctor — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:36:03 +0000

I hope Zygi just builds the stadium with his own private funding, and in return, gets to keep all the revenue it produces.

By: evilmajortom

evilmajortom — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:25:31 +0000

I want Lester Bagley’s job. The man has made a career out of NOT getting a stadium built.

By: gb4mn0

gb4mn0 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:54:04 +0000

Most of you lavender larry rubes “can’t see the forest for the trees” because you’re letting your emotional attachment to something that’s not necessary to life (pro football) cloud your reasoning.

Just go back to the poll on May 10, 2011 done by the Mpls S.T. and look at the numbers. 76% of the public are opposed to any tax payer funding of a new stadium and the political divided is almost perfectly split between those who identify as Repb or Dem. So your claims of the state overwhelmingly supporting a new stadium aren’t in the numbers. Additionally, you that are accusing the Tea Partiers of derailing the stadium deal is nothing more than you showing your political bias in spite of what the truth is.

Pull your foreskin down from over your eyes and see the truth.

By: theandy59

theandy59 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:51:25 +0000

There have been numerous studies of the economic impact of new stadiums on tax revenues, local per capita income, etc., and if you exclude the studies funded by the interested parties (the teams!), the conclusions are generally the same – there is no meaningful economic benefit to the public of taxpayer funded stadiums. If the taxpayers of Minnesota are willing to hand over a few hundred million to a billionaire, then god bless ‘em and good luck, I have no problem with it. But they should be allowed to decide this, not elected officials whose interests are typically their own and not those of their constituency. As someone previously wrote, if these things were such a great deal, the owners would pay for it themselves and reap all the benefits, ala Robert Kraft in New England. As a reminder, after much bluster and bluffing (hello, Connecticut?), Kraft capitulated and essentially paid for the entire Gillette Stadium project, excluding some relatively minor infrastructure contribution from the state. A decade later, he’s built a freaking retail theme park, with a hotel, restaurants, outdoor mall, etc. and his team is worth north of a billion dollars. So, man-up, Wilf, and put your own balls on the line!

By: foosball11

foosball11 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:08:56 +0000

At least LA will have a QB/RB tandem to build around…

By: purpleman527

purpleman527 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:37:56 +0000

The Wild: New Arena
T’Wolves: New Court
Twins: New Field
Gopher Football: New Stadium
Vikings: Sent packing?

As others have pointed out, the State funded ALL of these new facilities in some fashion, and you all think the Vikes won’t get one?

I know it makes for great hyperbole, but every year for the last decade people have been saying the Vikings would leave. The said the same thing about the Twins, year in and year out.

By: andrew8404

andrew8404 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:27:25 +0000

I love it how Minnesota people actually think that there precious tax money will be wasted on a home for the Vikings. I hope those people know the thousands of people employed by the Vikings and businesses around the new stadium will now have no jobs. Not to mention the millions of dollars we will get back in taxes from the Vikings and the players from living within the state. But heaven forbid a half cent tax increase to help boom the economy not kill it.

By: nflinla

nflinla — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:52:29 +0000

I really hope the Vikings stay in Minnesota. That’s their team. The only team that needs to come to LA are the Rams. The Rams belong in LA like the Vikings belong in Minnesota.

By: cesquire

cesquire — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:29:26 +0000

Yes. Having the public vote on a $350 million project is a bad thing. It should be taken out of their handss and the politicians should make their minds up for them.

A wealthy owner holds a sports team ransom and logic goes out the window.

By: pappavike

pappavike — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:51:15 +0000

It seams to me That Mr Wilf has been more than fair! Not once has he threatend to move the team. I wish the people of MINNESOTA Legislators also! would have a little pride do whats right! and KEEP THEM HERE! Gov. Dayton really seams to care But should! Legislators and others need to do there jobs and stop worrying about keeping ther jobs. To lose three pro teams When will we learn! Everybody is looking for work building a new stadium will create more jobs than losing the vikes will!! Lets see the northstars leave we get the wild! minnesotans even help pick the name. we give them a new home exel center. We get the Timber wolves. We build Target center.We almost lose the Twins to contraction. And we build Target field!! No vote needed!! C,mon man

By: forthelove

forthelove — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:42:03 +0000

I know im going to get hammered for this, but I don’t see why this is such a bad thing. If the public would vote against it, then why should the politicians do it on their own? I know the money would have to come from somewhere, but if the locals are against a tax increase or a cut to local funds then it’s bad representation to shove it through.

By: orangeflh

orangeflh — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:31:29 +0000

Vikings aren’t even a distant second. They’re merely an annoyance.

By: claymatthewsisonsteroids

claymatthewsisonsteroids — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:15:00 +0000

Mike, it doesn’t mean that it will not happen. The fact that Ramsey County will not raise taxes to pay for the stadium in Arden Hills means that the project will most likely shift to downtown Minneapolis. The Wilf’s may prefer the Arden Hills location, but they will accept a Minneapolis location before they decide to sell the team.

By: eegwaybeegway

eegwaybeegway — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:13:19 +0000

There are some viable proposals being discussed for a downtown site. The Wilfs are stuck on the Arden Hills site because they want to develop it and make billions. I say either take whatever proposal is made from Minneapolis and get a stadium built with plenty of suite space or go ahead and fund the Arden Hills site themselves. They’re businessmen; they should be able to figure it out. But taking their ball and running to LA would put them in the same class as Norm Green (the greedy North Star owner who kindnapped the team and took them to Dallas).

By: mcnabbulous

mcnabbulous — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:05:27 +0000

I am a life long California Viking Fan. Every year I visit Minny twice and Chicago once to watch the team. If the people of Minny don’t want them than they are going away.

Politicians don’t realized a very high percentage of angry vikes fans will hold them accountable.

The one thing that kills me is some believe the vikes will leave the name out of the kindness of their heart.

Not going to happen. Viking brand is worth big money and they are not going to leave the state o Minny the Viking name.

If they move to LA, not only am i going to keep going to the games sign me up for season tickets where there will be good food, lots if bathrooms and room to move around.

By: steelerchicken

steelerchicken — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:05:07 +0000

Get the moving trucks ready!!! The best rivalry is Ravens/Steelers.

When was the last time before the NFC Championship game last season Packers/Bears was relevant?

By: hakk03

hakk03 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:59:54 +0000

If you’re a member of the NFC north you’re guaranteed six exciting games a year: Pack, Vikes, and Lions (until recently its always been fun to mop them up, now they’re just plain exciting). Then you’re guaranteed the two boring games when you come across the Bears. Both teams struggle and it’s like nails on a chalk board. You all know what I’m talking about. A dismal overcast of a football team, for the last 20 years. So ya, vikes/pack is far superior to vikes/bears.