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Building blocks Tagliabue helps Vikings kick off push for new stadium
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings enlisted NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue on Friday in their renewed drive for a new football-only stadium, bringing him to the state Capitol for meetings with Gov. Jesse Ventura and top legislators. Tagliabue, in town for Saturday's playoff game between the Vikings and New Orleans Saints, sought to convey a sense of urgency but avoided making a hard sell. One lawmaker said he issued no ultimatum and made no direct plea for state money. But Tagliabue did speak of a "public-private partnership." He told officials about a league program that matches some private stadium contributions. The NFL loans are paid back through a share of ticket proceeds normally entitled to visiting teams. A new stadium could run as much as $500 million. "These investments, both the public piece and the private piece, are just that," Tagliabue said. "There is a long-term payback." Tagliabue said the Vikings need a new venue to keep from falling behind financially. About two-thirds of the league's 31 teams have stadiums that were built within the last 10 years, he said. "If you're below average, or well below average as the Vikings are, there are some urgent needs," he said. Team owner Red McCombs is willing to put up "$100 million to get the discussion started," Vikings lobbyist Lester Bagley said, adding that McCombs has "no interest in owning [a new stadium]. We just want to play there 10 games a year plus the playoffs." Tagliabue highlighted the possibility of a building that would be shared by the Vikings and the University of Minnesota. The Pittsburgh Steelers begin play next year in a new stadium the team will share with the University of Pittsburgh. Such an arrangement could make the Legislature, now strongly opposed to pro-sports subsidies, more receptive to the Vikings pitch, said Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe. Ventura argues that there are more pressing needs for public dollars. "It's very unlikely that this meeting would move the governor in any other direction than where he's been," Ventura spokesman John Wodele said. After meeting with Tagliabue, Moe said he expects the stadium issue to surface this legislative session, although it won't dominate the session. "It's not going to pre-empt a discussion about tax policy or education funding," Moe said. He described the Vikings as a state asset worth protecting. "We ought not to just ignore the issue until it becomes a crisis." House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan, said the possibility of a stadium bill getting through the Republican-controlled House in 2001 is "nonexistent." For now, the Vikings have to contend with a strict lease in the Metrodome that runs through 2011. Tagliabue said there is a "leaguewide policy of honoring leases." On Friday, the Vikings ran the first in a planned series of newspaper ads to discuss a new stadium. "As the Minnesota Vikings enjoy another winning season on the field, we're facing a serious challenge off the field," the ad began, under the headline "STADIUM CHALK TALK." "The reality is clear -- the Metrodome can no longer compete with the new standard in NFL facilities."
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