Talking Points: Stadium Deal Expected This Week
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A finalized deal between the Vikings, the city of Minneapolis and the state for a $975 million stadium is expected to be announced early this week.
The site would be the current Metrodome site with the new stadium being built in back of the current Metrodome. The deal's financing calls for the city of Minneapolis to kick in $150 million in construction costs and $180 million in operating costs over the next 30 years.
But all sides say the proposal does not have the backing of the majority of Minneapolis City Council members. Vikings Vice President for Stadium Development Lester Bagley appeared on WCCO Sunday Morning.
"Do you think the Minneapolis City Council is a tougher hurdle than the State Legislature?" asked WCCO's Esme Murphy.
Bagley replied, "It's a tough hurdle. Nothing is easy. If this was easy, we would have it done by now. It's a tough sell, it's an expensive project, but it's a tremendous opportunity for a multi-purpose stadium to be owned by the public and used by everyone -- get NCAA basketball, major league soccer, get a Super Bowl back and get a million people a year coming into this facility."
Bagley said the team is hoping once the agreement is reached, they can convince a majority of council members to support it.
The deal would also have to clear the Minnesota legislature.
You can watch WCCO Sunday Morning with Esme Murphy every Sunday morning at 10 a.m.
