Minnesotans "much prefer using new forms of gambling revenue to pay for a new Vikings stadium instead of higher taxes," according to a Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE poll cited by the paper's Jim Ragsdale. The poll "showed widespread public support for everything from a state lottery scratch-off game to slots at horse-racing tracks and electronic pulltabs in bars and restaurants." A stadium location in Minneapolis "was preferred by a 45 percent of poll respondents; 37 percent preferred Arden Hills, with the rest undecided or not answering." One "clear finding" from the poll was that Minnesotans "don't want to see the Vikings leave." About 67% said that "keeping the team in the state is important." The poll also "showed growing support for the use of public funds for a new stadium, although a majority still opposes any public subsidy." Fifty-six percent of those polled "opposed using public money while 37 percent favored it." Last May, a Minnesota poll "showed 74 percent opposed to public subsidies and 22 percent in favor." The poll of 807 adults statewide "was conducted Nov. 2-3 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/7). In Minneapolis, Rochelle Olson notes an online video posted on the Vikings' website this weekend "signaled the start of a broad pitch for a new stadium." The two-minute video is a "stirring montage of images from the old Met Stadium in Bloomington, former coach Bud Grant's stoic stare and fans." Vikings VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said that the ad "will be sent via e-mail to fans." The team also "plans a media tour and print ads" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/7).
PROBLEM SOLVERS? In Minneapolis, Julie Rosen notes legislators and the governor "were elected to solve problems." But the problem here "is not satisfying the team's need for a new stadium, but rather one of working within a unique situation to solve a problem that affects many Minnesotans." Rosen writes that means "avoiding the loss of a team that is part of the fabric and history of our state." Rosen: "The current facility used by the Minnesota Vikings is no longer feasible or competitive" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/7). In St. Paul, Tom Powers notes the "worst possible news for proponents of a Vikings stadium emerged last week when Ted Mondale announced that the team might be contractually obligated to the Metrodome for the 2012 season." Mondale, Chair of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, "which operates the Dome, cited a technicality involving the collapsed roof of 2010." Progress on building a new stadium "appeared to be evident as all sides seemed to be willing to at least consider gambling revenue as a funding mechanism." Powers writes, "Given half a chance to stick their heads in the sand for another 12 months, however, I'm pretty sure most of them will embrace that opportunity" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 11/7).
