Vikings President & co-Owner Mark Wilf said that everything "is going great with the building" of the team's $1.027B stadium. Wilf: "We’re just about halfway there on the construction. We’re on time and on schedule to open next July 1st." In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman notes the initial budget called for a $975M project, but "with rising costs for some amenities, the Wilfs decided to increase their total contribution" by $52M, so far, to a total of about $529M "coming from ownership and other private donations" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/12).
MIDWEST PRODUCT: In St. Louis, Bernie Miklasz writes former Anheuser-Busch President David Peacock and Edward Jones Dome attorney Robert Blitz "are making progress on their stadium quest" that would keep the Rams in the city. Peacock and Blitz "aren't working in isolation," but rather "with the NFL's guidance and the Rams' feedback." Peacock said, "We have very regular dialogue with the NFL. And we’ve been getting good input and ideas from the team as well." Miklasz reports additional announcements "are forthcoming" after recent land agreements. Miklasz: "Peacock and Blitz have moved this along more quickly than I’d anticipated" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 2/12).
KEEPING SCORE: In Jacksonville, Tia Mitchell reported the Jaguars' request for state tax dollars to help pay for upgrades at EverBank Field "received the second-highest score among four applicants vying for funding." The Orlando City SC stadium "was way ahead with 55 points." The Jaguars "received 47 points, Miami’s request for dollars to help upgrade" Sun Life Stadium scored 45 points and Daytona Int'l Speedway "landed in last place with 44 points." The scoring system was approved by the Florida Legislature last year "in hopes of ending what had become a highly political process as sports teams lobbied for state dollars" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 2/11).
