Pack93z
  • Pack93z
  • Select Member Topic Starter
15 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!"
Users browsing this topic
    Fan Shout
    dfosterf (12h) : Maybe
    Mucky Tundra (12h) : Yes
    Zero2Cool (13h) : No.
    Mucky Tundra (15h) : End of a Degu-era
    dhazer (16h) : Steelers sign Patterson because of new kickoff rule interesting
    Zero2Cool (19h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
    Zero2Cool (20h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
    dfosterf (28-Mar) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
    Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Haha
    Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
    beast (27-Mar) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
    Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
    Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
    Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
    Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
    Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
    Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
    dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
    buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
    Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
    buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
    Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
    dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
    dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
    Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
    Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
    dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
    Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
    dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
    dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
    dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
    Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
    Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
    Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
    Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
    Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
    Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
    dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
    dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
    dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
    beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
    dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
    dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
    Please sign in to use Fan Shout
    2023 Packers Schedule
    Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM
    Bears
    Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM
    Falcons
    Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM
    SAINTS
    Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM
    LIONS
    Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM
    Raiders
    Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM
    Broncos
    Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM
    VIKINGS
    Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM
    RAMS
    Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM
    Steelers
    Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM
    CHARGERS
    Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM
    Lions
    Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM
    CHIEFS
    Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM
    Giants
    Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM
    BUCCANEERS
    Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM
    Panthers
    Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM
    Vikings
    Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM
    BEARS
    Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM
    Cowboys
    Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM
    49ers
    Recent Topics
    7h / Around The NFL / beast

    12h / Green Bay Packers Talk / buckeyepackfan

    28-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

    28-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

    27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    27-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

    27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

    25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    22-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    Headlines
    Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.