Vikings President Mark Wilf said that he believes "some progress has been made" in building a new stadium in Arden Hills. Wilf said, "We have the framework of a deal and a structure towards that and hopefully we'll get this done in the early fall." In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman noted it is "obvious that the Wilfs are sold on Arden Hills and that it's the only site that interests them now." Wilf: "The main framework for the structure of the deal is done. ... We feel that we should be able to open by the 2015 season if we get this deal wrapped up relatively shortly" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/31).
FINANCIAL PLANNING: In Sacramento, Lillis, Bizjak & Kasler reported as the city's proposed financial model for a new NBA Kings arena "comes into focus, it's evident the city of Sacramento alone will shoulder much of the financial burden for the $387 million project." Among the "largest potential funding sources listed in a task force report" last week was the "possible sale of up to a dozen city-owned properties." Members of the arena task force "would not reveal which properties they're talking about," but said that a "review suggested the sales could generate" between $30-60M for an arena. While "selling city property represents a significant source of revenue, members of the mayor's task force insist the cost of the arena would be shared by people from all over the region." That is because the plan "would rely on fans -- rather than taxpayers -- to fund the Kings venue through surcharges on tickets and parking" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/31).
NOTES: Despite a "leaked photo of a possible new Scotiabank Place scoreboard, the Senators say they've yet to purchase one." Senators Dir of Communications Brian Morris "confirmed there are ongoing negotiations with Anthony James Partners, a company that designs scoreboards," but he would not confirm that the photo "likens any new Senators scoreboard" (OTTAWA SUN, 7/30)....Oklahoma State Univ.'s "long-delayed athletic village is starting to take shape." OSU regents "signed off Friday on expanded plans for a tennis center that isn't yet funded, and work is set to begin soon on an indoor practice facility to be used primarily by the football team" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 7/30).
