I feel sad for Jeremy and other Viking fans. And for those bars,etc. that might have to close/lay off staff if the Vikes move. And it won't be the same making jokes about a team in California who happens to wear purple.

But if I were a citizen of Minnesota, I'd be applauding. There are lots of ways of investing 400-500 million dollars of public money. Most of which are better investments for the overall "economy" than building a professional sport stadium.

IMO.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

I admire the Jets and Giants sharing a facility. I wish other cities went back to baseball and football in the same stadium. And tearing a facility down after it is only 25-30 even 40 years old is criminal.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

Stupidest thing ever was having Baseball and Football on the same field. What NFL player wants to run on that unsafe terrain?

I like the idea of using the stadium for multiple events. I think it's kind of crazy to let the stadium be used what a max of 10 times a year? Throw concerts or something in there too!!

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

I feel sad for Jeremy and other Viking fans. And for those bars,etc. that might have to close/lay off staff if the Vikes move. And it won't be the same making jokes about a team in California who happens to wear purple.

But if I were a citizen of Minnesota, I'd be applauding. There are lots of ways of investing 400-500 million dollars of public money. Most of which are better investments for the overall "economy" than building a professional sport stadium.

IMO.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

Yeah concerts. Even in NY that might get you 5- more events a year. How about XC racing and tractor pulls? [duh]
If the grounds crew does a good job they will be safe from field related injuries. I have seen some pretty shabby fields after a concert. Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium back in the 70' and 80's was notorious for poor field conditions after a concert. To name just one.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

I know you are our local anarchist, but the 'public money' you and others keep trumpeting/whining about is money that A) doesn't come from any new taxes, 😎 doesn't come from any general coffers, and C) is hardly considered public. The only real 'tax' that would be paid for the stadium would be a MPLS tax that would be extended (the tax that pays for the convention center).

That, and the stadium wouldn't even be owned or operated by the Vikings but the state appointed sports commission committee. The state would generate money from ALL uses of the stadium with the only exception of NFL football related events. That bill was about as 'fair' as you could get because the state would have most definitely gotten it's money back from it's investment (and surely you know what that is).

Originally Posted by: Formo 

Sigh.

1. It is publicly controlled money. If it was private money, this wouldn't be an issue, because the government wouldn't be involved. The only expenditure that the government can control is expenditure of funds it has power to coerce the use of. The reason this is an issue because the Vikings and their supporters want access to money collected from other people who don't want them to have access.

2. If it's real money, it has multiple uses. 500 million bucks can be used a lot of ways. IMO there are a lot of ways that offer a higher investment return than a sports stadium. (If there weren't, Zygi would be investing his own $500 million.) IMO there are a lot of ways that offer a higher investment than a "multi-use stadium" -- if there weren't, the entrepreneurs who want a combined sports/event venue would be able to raise money from private investors wanting to get in on a better deal.

The notion that a state "commission" can somehow find a higher return on investment than private capital owners to me is, quite frankly, ludicrous. Put it this way, if you have, say, $10 or $10K or $100K to invest, and could ask Fidelity or your governor to manage it, who would you go to?

Me, I'd go with Fidelity every time. They're more in tune with the world with the world where real value is being created through production and trade, whereas the governor only knows how to rob Peter to pay Paul. And if I discover they're not doing well enough, I can shift funds to Vanguard or Apple Computer or whatever.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

“There is no next year,” Vikings V.P. of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley said, via the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

“The last governor said in 2006 we’ll come back and work on yours next year. That was six years ago. No action this year is a decision.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/17/vikings-on-stadium-situation-there-is-no-next-year/

Originally Posted by: gbguy20