Vikings Cancel $45M Deal For Star Tribune Parcel Near Metrodome

Vikings Cancel $45M Land Deal, Which Could Complicate Efforts For Downtown Stadium

FEELING MINNESOTA: Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf said that the decision to nix the Star Tribune land deal “doesn't have any bearing on any future decision to move the Vikings.” Wilf: "We had 120 days to do due diligence on the properties and decided to concentrate on getting a new stadium built rather than developing this area for other means. We already own three parking lots in the stadium area that we purchased some time ago and are in the process of trying to buy the parking ramp adjacent to the Metrodome." In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman writes, “I believe the Wilfs have cooled a little bit on the area because they were ignored in their first bid for a stadium while the Twins and [Univ. of Minnesota] were successful."  But he adds they will "somehow find a way to get the stadium built and, at least at the present time, they don't have any intention of moving the franchise” (STAR TRIBUNE, 8/30). Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Chair Roy Terwilliger, whose organization owns the Metrodome, said that he is “not worried about the collapse of the land deal.” Terwilliger: "I certainly don't read into it any lessening of their commitment to Minnesota" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/30). 

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