U.S. Bank Stadium Oversight Chair Says User Fee For High School Games Not An Option

Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority interim Chair Kathleen Blatz put a "quick and definitive end to discussions about a user fee" for Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) events held at U.S. Bank Stadium, according to a front-page piece by Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Stadium manager SMG "had been in early discussions" with the MSHSL about "adding a fee of at least $2 to tickets for league events." U.S. Bank Stadium GM Dir Patrick Talty said that the fee "would be used to pay SMG's costs for the events." However, Olson notes the MSHSL's free access is "by design at the so-called people's stadium." The '12 bill authorizing the stadium required that the building's operator "make the space available to the MSHSL for at least seven dates each year for football and soccer tournaments." High school baseball championship games are "played at Target Field." The Twins "pay the league a flat fee, then retain ticket and concessions revenue" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/27).