Many expect a new Vikings stadium "to be considered at a special legislative session," but the "increasing war of words between Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republicans who control the House and Senate may prevent that," according to Mike Kaszuba of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Minnesota state Sen. Dick Cohen said, "The acrimony by the time a special session comes around is going to be significant. It'll be a stretch to get the votes for ... (the state's overall) budget." Cohen added, "I'd be surprised if the Legislature will have much of an appetite for anything else." State Sen. Dave Thompson Thursday said that "support for a Vikings stadium that includes public subsidies was 'tepid at best' in the Senate Republican caucus" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 5/26).
AEG GETTING INVOLVED? Vikings VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said that he met with AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke this week about the possibility of the L.A.-based company "managing the multipurpose stadium in Arden Hills that the team wants to build with Ramsey County." In Minneapolis, Kevin Duchschere reported Leiweke, who was in town on Tuesday to "talk about Target Center improvements" with Minneapolis and T'Wolves officials, "also contacted the Vikings." Leiweke did not "make a pitch" for the Vikings to move to L.A., where AEG is planning to build NFL-ready Farmers Field. Leiweke and the Vikings "talked about the prospects for Arden Hills as a sports entertainment complex modeled on AEG's LA Live." Bagley said the Vikings would like to "recreate that energy" if possible (STARTRIBUNE.com, 5/26).
ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM: A Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE editorial states St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman "has done a nice job sticking up for the home team while raising important questions about Minnesota's stadium priorities" through his proposal to use an alcohol drink tax to address Minnesota's stadium issues. Coleman's proposal calls for "keeping the Vikings in Minneapolis in a new stadium," while moving the T'Wolves and WNBA Lynx from Target Center to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The editorial continued, "Coleman touts his plan as the best state and regional remedy for Minnesota's stadium distress, but clearly St. Paul would be the big winner" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/27).
