Scouting Report - FAQ

Why do the Vikings need a new stadium?

With the current economic environment, is now the appropriate time to build a new stadium?

What are the benefits to the State of Minnesota and its citizens of building a new stadium?

Who would own the new stadium?

Why is the proposed Vikings contribution a reasonable amount?

If a roof costs significantly more, why isn’t the stadium open-air?

Since the site for the new stadium is the current Metrodome site, why has renovation of the Metrodome been eliminated as an option?

Why did the Vikings stadium deal in Anoka County not work?

What does the Vikings stadium development proposal include?

What do the Vikings hope to accomplish at the State Legislature in 2009?

How are the Vikings working with the MSFC and what is the next step?

Why do the Vikings need a new stadium?

The Vikings currently rank last out of 32 teams in revenue as a result of playing in the Metrodome. Since 1992, 28 of the 32 NFL cities have either built new stadiums or completed major renovations to their existing stadiums. While the Metrodome has been a great asset for the State of Minnesota for nearly 30 years, the reality is the facility is obsolete for use for National Football League games. It no longer provides fans with the experience they deserve or expect, and without a new home the Vikings cannot remain competitive with other NFL teams.

The Vikings also have just three (3) years remaining on their use agreement (lease), meaning the team has just 30 games left in the Metrodome. With a stadium taking 3-4 years to build, resolving the issue now means a new stadium will be ready in 2012. A new stadium will retain the Vikings in Minnesota for at least the next 30 years while giving the State the only climate-controlled, multi-purpose facility of its kind for year-round events, such as high school football, amateur baseball, trade shows, etc.

With the current economic environment, is now the appropriate time to build a new stadium?

While current economic conditions present a challenge, the new Vikings stadium proposal should be viewed as an economic stimulus and job-creation package. This project will create thousands of jobs and boost economic activity at a time when both are needed.

With the Twins and Gophers stadiums set to open within the next year, 5,300 construction workers will be looking for their next project. As Conventions, Sports & Leisure, International (CSL) reported in its recent Jobs and Economic Impact Analysis related to the Minnesota Vikings and the new proposed facility, this project will create 8,000 construction jobs and support approximately 13,400 jobs during the construction period. Over half the cost of the stadium, or $577 million, will be directed toward wages and salaries from construction jobs and jobs supported in other industries as a result of construction-related spending. Upon completion of the facility, 3,400 full and part-time jobs will be supported and over $32 million will be generated per year in tax revenue, which includes the $18 million the Vikings currently pay on an annual basis.

Vikings ownership has also pledged to invest hundreds of millions in private dollars to rebuild the area around the Metrodome with residences, office buildings, shops and restaurants. By leveraging this private investment, the state will experience a significant economic stimulus.

What are the benefits to the State of Minnesota and its citizens of building a new stadium?

Along with the economic benefits that are outlined on this web site and are included in CSL’s recent Jobs and Economic Impact Analysis, Minnesotans would continue to have a major, climate-controlled, multi-purpose facility available to host year-round events. The Metrodome is currently used 300 days a year; two-thirds of Metrodome usage involves less-known events such as high school and amateur baseball, high school football, trade shows, and concerts.

Building a new stadium also retains the Vikings in Minnesota for at least the next 30 years. As the most popular team in the state, the Vikings are a part of the fabric of this state. They give Minnesotans a common bond, something to discuss at work and enjoy with our families.

Who would own the new stadium?

A new stadium will be publicly-owned and operated by a stadium authority similar to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC), the public body that owns and operates the Metrodome. The Vikings will contribute significantly toward the cost of the new stadium and pay operating costs (rent) for their 10 home games each season.

Why is the proposed Vikings contribution a reasonable amount?

Around the country, public-private partnerships have allowed communities to retain their professional sports teams and benefit from modern facilities for other events throughout the year. Because two-thirds of current Metrodome usage is for events that don’t involve professional sports franchises, a public/private partnership is the best option for replacing the Metrodome with a modern stadium. The Wilf ownership group has committed to fund approximately 1/3 of the cost ($250 million) of an open-air stadium ($750 million), which is consistent with the precedent set by the Twins stadium package passed in 2006. In truth, modern stadiums are expensive, which is why neither the team nor the community can fund them alone. Both parties have to work together to achieve a mutually-beneficial outcome.

If a roof costs significantly more, why isn’t the stadium open-air?

While the Vikings do not require a roof for the team’s use of the new stadium, we recognize a roof would benefit the state by allowing significantly more events during winter months. With the Twins and Gophers stadiums both open-air, the MFSC advocated for a major climate-controlled facility to replace the Metrodome. The cost of having a roof, however, exceeds $200 million and the Vikings consider the costs of the roof to be a public expense.

Since the site for the new stadium is the current Metrodome site, why has renovation of the Metrodome been eliminated as an option?

The Vikings have explored several potential locations for a new stadium, and the existing infrastructure around the Metrodome, including the interstate highways, public transit and ample parking make the current site the best choice. The current proposal actually renovates the Metrodome site, which also helps save significant money and energy. Finding a new location that does not have adequate infrastructure will increase the total construction cost by approximately 25 percent.

This site also takes advantage of the current Hiawatha light rail line, Northstar commuter rail and the future Central Corridor line, which will allow 60,000 riders a day to connect in front of the new stadium. Currently over 10 percent of Vikings fans use the LRT to attend games, and that number is expected to increase in the future.

The MSFC and the Vikings researched and eliminated renovation as a viable option. Renovation is not a long-term solution for fans. It is too costly, will not meet the program requirements of the team or the NFL, and it greatly limits other economic development from taking place in the surrounding neighborhood.

Why did the Vikings stadium deal in Anoka County not work?

Anoka County was an excellent partner. They committed to a substantial public investment and dedicated extensive resources to informing the public and lawmakers about the advantages of their proposal.  The Vikings and our fans appreciate the hard work of Anoka County Commissioners on this project. Unfortunately the economics of the proposal did not work. While the cost of the stadium itself was comparable to the cost of replacing the Metrodome, there were $270 million in unfunded infrastructure costs, plus land acquisition costs, which would have greatly increased the stadium costs.

What does the Vikings stadium development proposal include?

The Vikings stadium development plan is to use the existing Metrodome site in the Downtown East area of Minneapolis as the site of a multi-purpose, retractable-roof facility. Elements of the new stadium include 65,000 seats, 7,500 club seats, wider concourses, more restrooms, a public plaza for events before the game, a Vikings Hall of Fame and more. However, this economic development proposal also includes three critical elements that go beyond hosting Vikings home games:

1) A retractable-roof facility that will give Minnesotans a state-of-the-art venue to be used year-round for high school and amateur sports, trade shows, community and cultural events as well as national and international happenings.
2) A Winter Garden light rail train station that will serve as a connecting point for the future Central Corridor light rail line and the existing Hiawatha line. This gathering place is integral to the Vikings vision of the overall development and will host indoor/outdoor activities for transit riders, neighborhood residents, downtown workers and attendees of stadium events. Currently 10% of Vikings fans use the LRT to attend games, but creating this public asset will allow 60,000+ riders a day to connect in front of the new stadium.
3) A privately financed redevelopment of the Downtown East area that will include office buildings, residences, shops and restaurants. This exciting project will create jobs, boost the economy and bring a renewed energy to this area of Minneapolis.

What do the Vikings hope to accomplish at the State Legislature in 2009?

The Vikings goal is to move this project and this discussion forward during the 2009 Legislative Session. There is an urgency to act, as the team has just 30 games left in the Metrodome. We need to get on the path to a solution in order to secure the long-term future of the Vikings in Minnesota.

There is also an opportunity for state leaders to be creative and build momentum for a stadium solution. This issue should fit into the discussion that is on-going at the Capitol about the importance of creating jobs and boosting our economy. The Vikings and the team’s ownership group are doing everything possible to invest in a winning team, in the community and in Minnesota’s economy. But the team can’t do it alone. State leaders have already built new stadiums for the Twins and the Gophers, and they need to partner with the Vikings to resolve the remaining stadium issue.

How are the Vikings working with the MSFC and what is the next step?

The Vikings are collaborating with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, owners and operators of the Metrodome, on the effort to build a new stadium on the site of the Metrodome. The shared goal is to “build the best stadium at the lowest cost,” so both parties are looking to re-use/recycle as much of the Metrodome and existing infrastructure as possible in order to lower costs and be as efficient as possible.

Working with the MSFC and legislative leaders, the Vikings are looking to identify the most appropriate stadium finance options. The team will follow the lead of legislators and the Governor on this front, but the Vikings believe those who use or benefit from the facility should participate in the funding.

Within the next couple of months, the MSFC will reveal the newest stadium design and cost analysis completed by HKS Architects and Mortensen Construction. This will allow legislative leaders to have an open discussion on funding mechanisms, etc.