New Stadium On Metrodome Site Would Exile Vikings For Three Years

Vikings VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley Tuesday said that the team "probably would have to play three seasons" at the Univ. of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium if a "new stadium is built on the site of the Metrodome," according to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. TCF Bank Stadium seats "about 13,000 fewer fans than the Metrodome," so playing three seasons there "would be less than ideal for the Vikings." Bagley said, "We know now, as we had our game there against the Bears on Dec. 20, that that's not an NFL stadium. It's a good college stadium, but TCF Bank doesn't really work for the Vikings long term. It might be a nice stop gap, but the loss of revenues have to be factored in. So while the infrastructure is all there at the Metrodome site, having to play at another location for two or three seasons is also a revenue issue that needs to be addressed." At the same time, Bagley "spoke optimistically Tuesday about the potential of a stadium being built in Arden Hills and made it clear that this is no bluff by the team." He said, "Ramsey County is a great site and there's a willing partner." Still, with a "plan to put a new roof on the Metrodome, Bagley knows some will try to say that facility should continue to be the Vikings home." But he said, "The issue is it's not a long-term facility. The roof collapse underscores that" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 2/15).

HITTING THE TARGET: The UM baseball team has been displaced by the Metrodome roof collapse, and in St. Paul, Charley Walters reports the university and the Twins are "closing in on a deal to use Target Field for Minnesota's Big Ten schedule." Some doubleheader dates "might need to be tweaked," and the Twins "will charge rent, which the Gophers don't mind" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/17).