Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf made a "surprise visit Thursday to the State Capitol, strongly hinting that the final, critical pieces of a plan to build a new taxpayer-supported stadium were nearly in place," according to Kaszuba & Duchschere of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Minnesota state Rep. Morrie Lanning, the chief House author of the stadium legislation, said that he "met privately with Wilf but said the owner did not announce any breakthroughs." But Wilf said, "We're confident that we have the parts in place to get this done this session. We're right now in the process of working with several potential (local) partners." His visit came "with just 38 days left before legislators are scheduled to adjourn in what many supporters see as a make-or-break year for the stadium." Wilf did not directly reveal how much the team would pay for the stadium, saying only the Vikings are committed to a "substantial private investment." Wilf also "dismissed reports that the team might be sold, or that he may be in talks to sell it." He said, "There are no talks like that." Following the Vikings owner's visit, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Chair Ted Mondale said that Hennepin and Ramsey counties are "discussing whether to join the Vikings as a local partner and that Minneapolis officials were thinking about it" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/15). Wilf "refused to comment on any specific site Thursday and didn't directly answer when asked which he prefers" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 4/15).
