Facility Notes

Vikings Say They Would Be Willing To Consider 40-Year Lease At New Stadium

The Vikings Thursday said that they would be "willing to consider a 40-year lease" at a new stadium. Vikings VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley: "If it's built with the confidence that it's not another Metrodome, that it's built with foresight and flexibility, then we might be willing. We want to solve this problem, and we're willing to be long-term players." Bagley said that he "expects a solid financing plan to emerge during the current legislative session, even before a location is secured" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/5).

NAME CHANGE: In N.Y., Epstein & Yaniv reported the Single-A New York-Penn League Brooklyn Cyclones have signed an 11-year naming-rights deal with Municipal Credit Union to rename their ballpark MCU Park. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Naming rights for the ballpark in '01 were sold to KeySpan through 2020, but the company was sold to National Grid in '07 and "its name was gone with that deal" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 2/4).

SLOT POSITION: In N.Y., Dicker & Campanile report Aqueduct Entertainment Group, which was "awarded the contract to install and manage 450 video slots terminals at Aqueduct Racetrack has been deemed 'not qualified' by the state." The revelation came as New York Gov. David Paterson Thursday "staunchly defended the selection of the consortium." But sources "raised questions about where" the group will find $300M -- the "upfront licensing fee it must pay to move ahead with the project." Aqueduct Entertainment Thursday said that Deutsche Bank "will provide additional financing." The group also is "expected to roll out a full list of investors that sources say will include hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and other notables" (N.Y. POST, 2/5).