State Senate says yes and now Vikings stadium awaits govenor's signature

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Minnesota Vikings

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ST. PAUL -- The song "Skol Vikings" is getting a lot of play these days as Minnesota's pro football team is close to getting a new stadium. Thursday's 36-30 vote by the state Senate puts the $975-million plan before the governor to sign during a ceremony sometime in the coming days.

The Minneapolis City Council must also approve the new stadium within a month. Just over half the cost of the stadium will be paid for by the public, after the Vikings agreed this week to take on more of the financial burden The fixed-roof stadium plan also leaves the door open for the Vikings to add a retractable roof, if they choose, at their expense.

Just hours after the legislature passed a new Vikings stadium bill, Governor Mark Dayton accompanied team owner Zygi Wilf at the Capitol, thanking him for his "willingness to make the Vikings the Minnesota Vikings for another generation to come." Wilf then thanked Minnesotans who he says have passion for the Vikings and for their success, adding "After we get this done, we'll work just as hard to making sure we bring a championship to Minnesota."

Once all the I's are dotted and T's crossed, the Vikings will finish out their tenure at the Metrodome this season, then likely play games at TCF Stadium until their new home is built.

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The University of Minnesota stands to make some solid revenue from the Vikings over the next few years. With a new stadium approved by the legislature, the -U- and the Vikings have agreed to allow the team use of TCF Stadium after this season finishes out at the Metrodome. The university will get a quarter-million dollars per game plus concessions and sponsorships, bringing the potential income up to three-million dollars per season. The -U- will need to install heating coils under the field and some temporary bleachers in the endzone on the open end of the stadium to handle a larger crowd. Current capacity at TCF is 50,800.

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A bit of irony this morning for Minnesotans who read Time Magazine. The latest issue includes a list of the ten worst stadiums in the U.S. and guess which one comes in at number one? That's right, the soon to be replaced Metrodome in Minneapolis. The 30-year old home of the Vikings was criticized on several fronts including its roof collapse back in 2010. A new football stadium next door to the dome has been passed in the House and Senate, and awaits the governor's signature plus Minneapolis City Council approval.

Tags: minnesota sports, proam, football, vikings