Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Time for press to ask legislative leaders if they want Vikings in Minnesota

I have a challenge for journalists in Minnesota covering the Vikings stadium debate: Ask our legislative leaders if they want the Vikings to stay in Minnesota.

It's a simple  yes or no question that would speak volumes about how they feel about the presence of the National Football League in Minnesota. In all the articles I have read, along with all the broadcasts I have watched and listened to, there has not been a straight answer from House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch. Truthfully, I don't know where they stand.

Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (center) and House Speaker Kurt Zellers (right)





But if you have been following the Vikings stadium debate, it's easy to say it's been anything but a cakewalk for the Vikings. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and Lester Bagley, the team's vice president of public affairs and stadium development, have been unable to persuade legislators to support funding for a new $1.1 billion stadium. Wilf said he would contribute at least $400 million while the remaining $650 million would come from public financing through the state and a county sales tax. Their lease at the Metrodome expires in January. And without a new stadium, the Vikings and Gov. Mark Dayton said there's a possibility the team could move elsewhere, including Los Angeles. 

Legislators have been resistant to go along with the Vikings plan of the state contributing $300 million and Ramsey County $350 million in sales taxes. On Tuesday, Dayton rejected a stadium sales tax after legislative leaders told him there was not enough support in the Legislature to exempt Ramsey County or Minneapolis residents from voting on an increase in sales taxes in order to help pay for a new stadium. Minneapolis residents were included in the debate after Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak introduced three sites for the Vikings to consider in an effort to keep the team in Minneapolis.

There has also been resistance from legislators to expand gambling to help pay for a new stadium. And now Zellers said that he won't support a special session to finance a new Vikings stadium and believes the team can wait until the next regular session in 2012.

I don't fault reporters for continuing to ask Wilf about his willingness to keep the team in Minnesota if a stadium plan fails to pass. I also believe they're doing their job in addressing serious funding challenges for a new stadium, along with other needs in the state like health and human services, transportation, and education.

But I still haven't gotten a clear answer whether Minnesota's legislative leaders, along with the entire legislative body, want the team to stay.

Sports reporters have no problem asking head coaches or athletes these types of questions whenever rumors swirl about an impending departure from an organization. Just ask ESPN1500's Judd Zulgad how former Twins slugger Jim Thome answered that question before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in August  (Thome declined to comment and then walked away from the interview in disgust).

I am not advocating journalists to become cheerleaders for the Vikings organization because that's not their job. I just want them to hold everyone's feet to the fire in this debate and keep them honest. Asking legislators whether or not they want the Vikings to stay in Minnesota is a simple, objective question journalists should not be afraid to ask and legislators should not be afraid to answer.

1 comment:

  1. I am actually encouraged by the recent developments. I oppose public financing for stadiums, but if it's going to happen I've always advocated for a whole state funding source, rather than a local one.

    I also think that whatever percentage of funding coming from the State should equal the percentage of revenue the state would get from a new stadium. That amount would be in place until the bonds are paid off - with interest - and then the Vikings could take all the revenue.

    Just a thought.

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