Pack93z
  • Pack93z
  • Select Member Topic Starter
16 years ago
Maybe those purple seats in the LA stadium plans had some merit, eh.

Seriously.. sign of the economic times.. it will be interesting to see how much impact this downturn has overall on franchises.

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081025/SPORTS/710259918/1008/sports 

IOWA CITY Minnesota and its most popular sports franchise are heading for a showdown in which fans could lose either their money or their team.

The Vikings' lease with the Metrodome expires in 2011, meaning the 48-year-old NFL franchise could move after that season. For years, the Vikings have pushed for a new stadium at various Twin Cities sites. That still seems to be the course for Minnesota owner Zygi Wilf, who talked about the stadium issue with The Gazette in August.

"We are working very hard right now toward formulating a plan that would involve the existing site of the Metrodome," Wilf said. "The Metrodome is the center of activity of more than 25 years, and we're trying to find ways to build a facility with the help of the legislature that we all can be proud of."

Minnesota lawmakers have offered to renovate the Metrodome in the past, but Vikings' officials have said that won't be sufficient. The Metrodome generates the NFL's lowest revenue, and the Vikings are a revenue-sharing drain on the NFL.

Since 2000, nearly $900 million was spent on three stadiums or arenas in the Twin Cities.

The Excel Energy Center in St. Paul was completed in 2000 for about $180 million, with $130 million from public sources. The Twins' stadium, which opens in 2010, costs $412 million with $260 million from the public. The Gophers' stadium has a $288.5 million price tag with the public covering $137.2 million.

If the Vikings secure public financing during the 2009 Legislative session, it's likely they will play for at least one season at the 50,000-seat Gophers' stadium.

Cost estimates range from $750 million for an outdoor stadium (preferred by Wilf) to about $1 billion for a stadium with a retractable roof. Many prefer some type of roof so the state can lure Super Bowls and Final Fours, as it has in the past.

The cost of waiting could be dire. The situation resembles the one that developed in Cleveland in the early 1990s when public money was used for a basketball arena for the Cavaliers, a baseball stadium for the Indians and the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

The Browns were left with an aging tinderbox and left for Baltimore, sparking a huge public outcry and an eventual expansion team three years later. The NFL has faced similar situations in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Oakland, Houston and St. Louis.

"After so many years of being stalled, the Twins and Gophers got their stadium and ballpark done and we were very happy for them. We were advocating that," Wilf said. "We were told to wait our turn. Maybe it was because we were new owners, but certainly we are waiting our turn.

"I think it's very important, not only for Minnesotans but to fans and the people outside of Minnesota that they realize that ... the Minnesota Vikings are a very important part of the culture and the soul of Minnesotans and fans throughout the U.S. and including fans here in Iowa."


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
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    Zero2Cool (22h) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
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    Mucky Tundra (23h) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
    Zero2Cool (23h) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
    Martha Careful (27-Apr) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
    Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
    Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
    beast (27-Apr) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
    Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
    Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
    Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
    Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
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    Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
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    buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
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    TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
    Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
    Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
    dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
    dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
    dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
    Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
    beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
    beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
    Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
    Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
    beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
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    dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
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    dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
    dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
    Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
    Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
    Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
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    dfosterf (25-Apr) : No.Absolutely not
    Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
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