VIKINGS EXPLORE PROPOSAL TO SHARE STADIUM WITH UNIV. OF MN

          There is a new stadium plan "to try to keep pro sports
     in Minnesota that might be looked at favorably by the
     Legislature," according to Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis
     STAR TRIBUNE.  According to the proposal, the Univ. of MN
     (UM) would receive funds from the state to build a football
     stadium on or near campus and the Vikings would then rent
     the stadium from the university.  The Metrodome would be
     remodeled for baseball, with a reduced capacity of 40,000
     and improved sight lines.  MN House-speaker designate Steve
     Sviggum (R): "It's a different world when you talk about
     building a stadium for the university.  I don't know what it
     would cost to remodel the Metrodome.  But this plan would at
     least be worth talking about."  UM President Mark Yudof "has
     made it clear that building a football stadium is not one of
     his top priorities."  Yudof added, though, that if the funds
     for a stadium didn't come from the university budget, he
     "would listen to the plan" (STAR TRIBUNE, 12/20).