APAs investments go, the Vikings made a pretty good one.
According to the Associated Press, the Vikings spent $115,000 on lobbying efforts in Minnesota from January 2012 through May 2012. In return, the Vikings finally finagled a new stadium, which includes roughly $500 million in public funding.
So, yeah, $115,000 for $500 million. Not a bad deal.
Of course, the Vikings surely have been spending on lobbyists in past years, with no payoff. Still, it would take a lot of money for lobbying before anyone would suggest that the Vikings didn’t get their money’s worth on this one.
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The most delusional fan base in all the league
Most were California and L.A. politicians who didn’t want to waste California money for another failed NFL franchise.
Thank you for this! I’ve missed the Viking stadium articles:-) I would kind of like to know how much Ziggy has spent since purchasing the team on lobbying. Seeing as the lobbying started before the ink was dry on the purchase I’m sure it’s a ton.
Minnesota legislators are cheap dates.
The Vikings, Cowboys, Colts…plus 28 other teams wouldn’t have to spend a dime on lobbying etc. if they could print “funny money” like the packers get to do.
Whenever state legislators attempted to exit the chambers via the lobby, they were blocked by a motley hord of “lobbyists” armed with primitve weapons and sporting horned helmets.
You are surprised? That’s how politics works!
A bad investment, however, is that guy with the #19 Aromashodu jersey.
Lobbying = bribes. People are screaming for the govt to stay out of football, yet the NFL and Goodell are the ones bribing, er lobbying politicians to make the taxpayers build businesses for billionaires.
jerrysandusky1 says:
Jun 18, 2012 10:51 PM
The most delusional fan base in all the league
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It is my preference that someone with your username dislike the things that I enjoy. Vikings fans, rejoice. This mongrel isn’t a fan of our team.
Even better is the fact that the team of choice for the idiots who usually make comments like these on Vikings stories are fans of the Packers.
Stay classy.
jerrysandusky1 says: Jun 18, 2012 10:51 PM
The most delusional fan base in all the league.
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*So you’re new to this whole “NFL” thing, right..? Either that, or you’re wearing foam on your head and spending $200 a pop on worthless pieces of paper..*
Does anybody think that any other NFL team lobbied their state legislature/city council to get a stadium?
I find it amazing that the only NFL team that gets scrutiny about getting a new stadium is the Vikings.
Another example of how “democracy” works in America, where politicians’ votes are bought by the rich and powerful and their lobbyists.
@granadafan:
Lobbying = Free Speech. See your Constitution.
Doubt you’d bash lobbying if the story was about MADD lobbying for tougher DUI laws.
The Twin Cities is the 16th largest market. And the Wilf’s are paying the 3rd highest private amount for an NFL stadium EVER. So why all the negative stories about it? Doesn’t make any sense.
@johnnyjagfan who said “Lobbying = Free Speech. See your Constitution.”
Johnny, try actually researching the constitution instead of reciting it, in knee-jerk fashion, as the basis for allowing every unethical and/or illegal practice in politics.
NO constitutional right is absolute. For example, the Sedition Act of 1798 makes seditious libel a crime. Libel is speech but speech can be illegal.
As for lobbying, in too many cases it’s just the legal corruption of politicians.
This just in: Rich people are really good at spending relatively small amounts of money to get a lot of money in return. That’s. Why. They’re. Rich.
jerrysandusky1 says:
Jun 18, 2012 10:51 PM
The most delusional fan base in all the league
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Not naming any specific team but delusional consists of the following:
- your head coach claiming they “beat themselves” during the first round of playoffs last year rather than admitting “we got our butts kicked!”
- buying “stock” in a team and claiming you are a team owner.
- claiming your team is “Americas Team” when that title belongs to the Cowboys.
- claiming your town is “Titletown” when the combined sports championships of NYC exceeds 50.
- claiming Favre (again, not naming a specific team) is not the reason your team came out of obscurity and won a SB title.