Vikings Stadium Plan Killed, Could a Move Be Next?

Last night a panel of Minnesota House representatives rejected a proposal to fund a new stadium for the the Minnesota Vikings.

According to the Star Tribune, the stadium plan had multiple tiers to generate money for building the stadium, including using electronic pull tabs and Bingo in Minnesota's bars and restaurants; also, a 10 percent tax on stadium luxury suites would be used first and Hennepin County's sales tax money would be a third option.

You knew it was trouble when the hearing started with Rep. Dean Urdahl asking, "Why should the state of Minnesota contribute to a stadium for a billionaire owner?"

It's a fair question. In many ways this is a shock because it sure sounded as if this was a slam dunk vote. However, given the economic time we live in, the representative's question is one that has been echoed by many fans (and more importantly, non-fans) across the country.

It didn't help that basically this proposal suggested to void a Minneapolis city charter provision that requires citizens to vote on spending city money for a new sports facilities. That probably didn't go over well at all.

It's a hard thing for Vikings faithful to hear, and I'm about to say something else which that be even harder to hear: The next few days are going to begin the "We might move to Los Angeles" rhetoric.

You don't want to hear it. I can see the comments section now. It's reality, though.

Via the Star Tribune:

"

"It's a mistake to think the Vikings and the [National Football League] will continue with the status quo" of playing in the Metrodome without a new stadium, Vikings spokesman Lester Bagley told a large crowd of reporters after the 9-6 vote. Bagley stopped short of saying that the vote could lead the team to leave Minnesota.

"

Don't expect that last sentence to stay that way for long. The very fact that Tribune writer Mike Kaszuba had to say it tells you everything about what likely will happen next.

Los Angeles has long been a fulcrum for teams to get local and state governments to pony up cash for stadiums. Eventually most states or cities cave and so, nobody moves to Los Angeles.

Several things are different here.

First, there are not one, but two stadiums being built in Los Angeles, or very close to it.

Second, the state of Minnesota has made it now very clear it will not give money to a stadium project that is not voted on by the people.

Third, I don't think the people are that sold on using tax money and taxes in general to fund a stadium for a "billionaire owner."

This doesn't make a move fait accompli by any means. There is a lot that can happen, including a new proposal, the offer of more money from Zygi Wilf and the usual collapse of the LA projects (as a former Los Angeles resident, those projects always collapse).

From the perspective of a former resident of Los Angeles County, I have my reservations about any team going to LA. I don't like stealing other fans' teams. I think a rebuilding team like the Vikings would face difficulties pulling fans if they continued to struggle.

On the other hand, despite what everyone thinks, the Rams and Raiders drew good crowds in their time in Los Angeles and moved because the owners were greedy and got better deals elsewhere, not because they had no fans.

A pro football franchise can succeed there, and as much as I hate the thought that my former city might swipe an existing team, an established franchise has a better chance there than a brand new team. There is a ton of money in the city, lots of star power and cash for luxury boxes, beautiful weather and the entertainment industry, which would allow athletes great opportunity to expand their income base and set themselves up for a post-football career.

The next move is up to the Vikings because the state has made it clear it doesn't like the proposal and is very cautious about doling out money to build a stadium. Will the Vikings threaten a move, even hint at one?

That's usually the way these things go. I don't much like it, but we've seen it a million times. With no new stadium, a move is not just a threat—it's a possibility.

The rhetoric and saber rattling is coming, Vikings fans, so be prepared.