The Vikings have hired MN public affairs specialist and
lobbyist Lester Bagley to "lead their marketing campaign"
for a new stadium, according to Scott Carlson of the ST.
PAUL PIONEER PRESS. Vikings GM Tim Connolly: "Frankly, we
need someone that understands the (Minnesota) private and
public landscape to help us identify and cover in an
efficient way the number of organizations, associations and
individuals that we need to talk to." Bagley "plans to
start" his effort -- a "grassroots initiative" filled with
presentations, charts and feedback sessions -- once MN
lawmakers finish their session this month. Bagley feels
that state lawmakers rejected the Twins ballpark plan two
years ago "partly because the team failed to educate and
enlist the help of the state's business community." Bagley:
"We won't make that mistake. We want to bring the community
into the loop." Bagley is working on a "monthly retainer"
(PIONEER PRESS, 5/7). In St. Paul, Charley Walters writes,
"A little birdie says the Vikings have indicated to some
legislators they want an indication by September of their
chances to get a new stadium, or the pressure for a move to
Houston will increase" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 5/7).
