Zygi Wilf Says Vikings Will Chip In $250M Toward New Stadium

Wilf Says Vikings Willing To Contribute $250M To New Stadium

Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf on Friday put a $2B “price tag on his vision to revitalize Minneapolis’ Downtown East district: $954[M] for a new Vikings stadium on the site of the Metrodome and an additional $1[B] to refurbish the surrounding area,” according to Paul Levy of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Wilf said that the Vikings are “willing to pay about $250[M] toward the new stadium.” Levy noted that would be “about one-third of the stadium costs, minus a $200[M] retractable roof that the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission deems essential, but the Vikings have never totally endorsed.” Wilf: “If the state feels that a retractable roof is that important, then the cost should be absorbed by the state.” Levy wrote the rest of the money “presumably would have to come from the state, with possible help from private investments.” Minnesota state Senate Taxes Committee Chair Tom Bakk said the Vikings “need a local partner” to advance their plans, but added “I don’t know of one.” Bakk: “It’s unlikely the Legislature will put general fund money into a stadium. We debated that for 10 years with the Twins, and I don’t think anything’s going to change” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/5).