Vikings stadium bill passes House but could be deal-breaker with NFL

• Minnesota State House of Representatives

The mood in the Minnesota House was different May 23 than a normal last day of session. While there was lots of debate, there was little of the urgency normally felt on the final day. Photo by Don Davis/State Capitol Bureau

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ST. PAUL - Minnesota Vikings fans let out some cheers as the Minnesota state House of Representatives passed a stadium bill last night on a stronger-than-expected vote of 73-58. But it's far from a done deal. The proposal will next move to the state Senate.

"It's the first hurdle, a couple more to go, but we're really excited," said Vikings vice president Lester Bagley.

The House put an amendment on the bill that would reduce the public contribution to $443-million dollars and have the Vikings kick in about $100-million more than they had agreed to, much to the displeasure of the NFL and the team. Bagley says the current measure is "not workable," adding they still have a few days to go to make the deal palatable for all parties.

The new downtown stadium has a projected cost of $975 million and would sit on the current site of the Metrodome, where the Vikings have played since 1982.

According to the plan unveiled in March, the Vikings would contribute $427 million toward the up-front costs, while the city of Minneapolis would commit $150 million and the state of Minnesota would fund $398 million. The city's part would come from redirecting a portion of existing convention center taxes, while the state would expand charitable gaming to pay its portion.

Part of Monday's debate in the House included increasing the team's share of the cost. Exact details of the financing would still need to be ironed out.

The Vikings are set to play in the Metrodome next year, even if construction on a new building starts, and would likely play just one season in TCF Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

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