Earlier today, we pointed out an aspect of the Vikings stadium bill that would require the franchise to leave the team name, logos, colors, records, and trophies in Minnesota, if the team ever moves.
Vikings V.P. of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley tells PFT that the team doesn’t like the provision, but that the team won’t try too hard to get it out of the bill.
“While we don’t agree with it, we probably won’t fight too hard on it, as there are other things on which we need to fight hard,” Bagley said via e-mail. “Plus, it seems an odd principle to stand on — that the State could lose the team but keep the Vikings’ name.”
Bagley also confirmed that the bill would require the team to make certain financial disclosures to the stadium authority, a subject that has become controversial of late in the league’s labor dispute.
‘There will be an agreed upon financial due diligence process established (as there was on Twins deal), and we are committed to providing appropriate financial info to appropriate personnel,” Bagley said. “We are going through these steps and discussions presently in our negotiations will potential local partners.”
The bill, which has not generated much excitement yet within the Legislature, would generated roughly $300 million from the state, $300 million from the to-be-determined locality that hosts the venue, and $300 million from the team.
If no action is taken in the next six weeks, the Vikings will enter in 2011 the final season of their lease at the Metrodome, making them free to leave as early as 2012.