The Playbook

While current economic conditions present a challenge, the Vikings plan to ask state leaders during the  2009 Legislative Session to approve the team’s stadium development project, an initiative that would add  more than 8,000 construction jobs during a time when employment is desperately needed.

In collaboration with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) the Vikings have retained HKS Architects to help complete a stadium design and cost study that will begin to pave the way for construction. The ultimate goal is to build the “best stadium at the lowest cost,” and in so doing, take advantage of existing stadium infrastructure at the Metrodome site and utilize new green initiatives to deliver a building that performs with renewable and sustainable energy.

Building a new home for Vikings football will dramatically improve the fan experience at games, help the franchise meet basic NFL program requirements and generate enough money to keep the team competitive over the long term. Addressing the issue in 2009 will also give the state a major multi-use facility to be used year-round, keep the Vikings in Minnesota for at least another 30 years and provide much-needed employment and economic activity.

The MSFC recently released the findings of a jobs and economic impact analysis by Conventions, Sports & Leisure, International (CSL), which shows the construction and operation of a new stadium and the Minnesota Vikings franchise provides significant economic benefits that include the creation of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of spending in Minnesota both during the construction of the facility and throughout the life of the new stadium. The findings also acknowledge the State will receive significant tax benefits from having the stadium and retaining the Vikings.

Key findings of the CSL report include:

- The construction of a new stadium will support approximately 13,400 jobs, including 8,000 construction and trades workers that would be utilized during the building process.
- Over half the cost of constructing the new 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 stadium, 3,400 full and part-time jobs will be supported by the economic activity generated by a new stadium and the Vikings.
- The economic activity from a new stadium will generate over $32 million per year in tax revenue, which includes the $18 million annually generated by the Vikings.

Click here to see CSL’s complete Jobs and Economic Impact Analysis, as well as a 3-page summary of the report.

1) The Vikings use agreement (lease) expires after the 2011 season, meaning the team has just 30 games remaining in the Metrodome. By resolving the issue in 2009, the stadium will be ready to open in 2012.
2) The Vikings stadium project will provide thousands of jobs and boost economic activity in a time when both are needed. With the Gophers and Twins stadiums set to open in the next year, 5,300 construction workers will be looking for their next job. This project will employ 8,000 construction workers, provide good paying jobs with benefits and involve many sectors throughout the building trades. 
3) The Metrodome has become obsolete and no longer provides fans with the experience they deserve or expect. The state needs a reconstructed stadium to give Minnesota its only major climate-controlled, multi-purpose facility capable of hosting events year-round.
4) The project is ready to be started this summer. Design work is near completion and the Vikings ownership’s financial commitment is secure.

Minnesota Twins Ballpark // 3,100 Construction Jobs and $317 million - Local Subcontract Value
University of Minnesota Stadium // 2,200 Construction Jobs and $186 million - Local Subcontract Value

Proposed Minnesota Vikings Stadium // 8,000 Construction Jobs and $577 million - Local Subcontract Value

Stadium Economics: Significant Tax Revenues Raised At Metrodome
In 2008, the MSFC hired RSM McGladrey to analyze the economic impact of the Metrodome since its inception in 1982. The following are key findings from the report:

1) The Metrodome was built for $55 million, with $33 million in public dollars raised primarily through local entertainment taxes in Minneapolis.
2) The State of Minnesota contributed zero dollars toward the construction of the Metrodome.
3) Since it opened in 1982, the Metrodome has generated $245 million in tax revenue.
   - $234 million has gone to the State of Minnesota
   - The Minnesota Vikings have been responsible for $126 million of the $245 million in taxes genereated in the last 27 years.

Minnesota Vikings Paid More Than $18 Million In Taxes In 2008

Direct Fiscal Impact To Minnesota (2008)
Taxes
* Property Tax - $240,000
* State Tax Withholding on Players and Staff - $10,857,000
* Sales Tax on Tickets and Merchandise - $2,755,000
* Admission Tax – MSFC - $4,305,000
SubTotal -- $18,157,000 ^

^ this total does not include income tax collected from visiting players and teams.