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Viking Stadium Decision Not Near
Look
for final resolution of whether the Minnesota Vikings obtain public
funding for a new stadium to be a crisis decision made later rather than
next year. Last week’s state legislative session ended with no specific
plan identifying a public funding source and timeline for building a
new retractable roof stadium on the Metrodome site for
a near $1 billion cost.
The
Vikings have been in pursuit of a stadium since Arne Carlson was
governor in the 1990s. A team official privately said back then the
Vikings were being told to wait until the Twins’ stadium needs were
addressed. About 10 years passed and the Twins now have their stadium
but the Vikings are still waiting.
The
Vikings’ stadium experience is likely to follow that of the Twins who
finally received governmental approval when the team no longer was
contractually bound to stay in Minnesota and play at the Metrodome. The
Vikings’ lease at the dome expires after the 2011 season and the
franchise can relocate to another city.
Although team management and representatives of the Metropolitan Sports
Facilities Commission would love to gain approval for funding a new
stadium on the Metrodome site during next year’s legislative session,
the issue probably willl not be resolved. Members of the House of
Representatives are up for re-election in 2008 and funding a proposed $1
billion stadium requiring both public and private funding is a subject
legislators seeking re-election likely want to avoid.
Funding the stadium is obviously a controversial issue. The Twins
stadium, projected at about half the cost, was a divisive topic for
years among the public and politicians. The Vikings’ stadium drive will
be no easier, perhaps more difficult because of the higher cost and
because Hennepin County is already providing sales tax revenue to the Twins
stadium. Talk of a metro sales tax to fund the Vikings stadium and
other community needs will be appealing to some, but Anoka County, once
the proposed home for the stadium, may line up first among opponents
from various counties.
Drawing attention, too, from stadium opponents will be the financial
success of the NFL. Although the NFL doesn’t make public the profits of
its privately held teams, the Vikings are believed to be among the
lowest money makers in the 32 team league for many years. However, it’s
also believed the Vikings made an annual operating profit of several
million dollars until last year when the franchise lost money. Plus,
franchise value is impressive since Red McCombs reportedly purchased the
team in 1998 for about $250 million and sold it in 2005 for
approximately $600 million.
The
NFL is a money- making machine with its TV, merchandising and ticket
revenues. The NFL has also more successfully controlled labor expenses
than other professional leagues. As America’s most popular sport, the
NFL is riding high with no end seen to its growth as it now explores
product expansion into Europe and Asia.
The
drive for a new stadium will be based on more than the Vikings. A
retractable roof facility will replace the Metrodome and provide a site
for a long list of events that benefit the community. Whether it’s high
school events filling a community need because of inclement weather, or
big time events like an NCAA basketball tournament bringing economic
vitality to the region, the argument is that a new domed stadium will
serve Minneapolis and the entire area in a valuable way. Look for
that theme to be spread by stadium proponents in the months ahead.
The
Vikings enormous popularity in Minnesota will be an asset in pursuing a
stadium. If the team can become a winner on the field that will
create even more support for a stadium. But even with sold out
games and local TV ratings that dwarf those of Minnesota’s other pro
teams, the stadium proponents best tool of persuasion is a ticking clock
and expiration of the lease. In the end the Vikings probably will get
their stadium but don’t expect a decision until 2009 or later.
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Members of the House of Representatives
are up for re-election in 2008 and funding a proposed stadium requiring
both public and private funding is a subject legislators seeking
re-election likely want to avoid.
Whether it’s high school events filling a
community need because of inclement weather, or big time events like an
NCAA basketball tournament bringing economic vitality to the region, the
argument is that a new domed stadium will serve Minneapolis and the
entire area in a valuable way.
But even with sold out games and local TV
ratings that dwarf those of Minnesota’s other pro teams, the stadium
proponents best tool of persuasion is a ticking clock and expiration of
the Metrodome lease.
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Twins’ Morneau Keeps It Simple
Justin Morneau ended the month with
the third highest home run total for a Twins player in May. His 10 home
runs are exceeded in Twins franchise history only by Harmon Killebrew.
Morneau has 16 home runs for the season, second in the American League
to Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees who has 19. Last season the
26-year-old first baseman hit a career high 26 home runs. He was asked
earlier this week about his home run potential.
“I
have no idea,” he told Sports Headliners. “I try not to go up there (to
the plate) and hit home runs. If I do, that’s usually when I get myself
in trouble. If I am hitting the ball well, it’s got a chance to go over
the fence. I don’t really try to put (projected) numbers out there. If
you say you want to hit 30 and then all of a sudden you get to 30 and
it’s August, what do you do after that? …”
Even
in obvious long ball situations like a game tied in the late innings,
Morneau tries to avoid a home run mind set. “When I go out there
and just try to hit it hard and try to keep it simple, that’s when I
seem to have a lot more success and the ball seems to go over the
fence,” he said. “In Texas the other day (last week) in two at bats I
hit a home run and I wasn’t trying to. Then I got up and I had a 3-0
pitch and I popped it up. That was the only at-bat the whole day I was
trying to hit a home run. So if I keep it simple, that’s when I am more
successful.”
Morneau has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games and is batting .346
(18-52) with four doubles, nine runs, five home runs and 19 RBI. The
Twins have won nine of those games.
Morneau’s production began climbing last June and by season’s end he was
the American League’s Most Valuable Player. In early June he was
hitting .241 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI’s. He led the major leagues
from June 8 to season’s end with a .362 average. For the year he
finished with a .321 average, 34 home runs and 130 RBI’s.
The
Twins are promoting Justin Morneau MVP Bat Day on June 10. The first
5,000 fans 14 and under receive a free bat. A Morneau MVP bobblehead
giveaway (10,000 available to fans) is scheduled for July 20.
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“When I go out there and just try to
hit it hard and try to keep it simple, that’s when I seem to have a lot
more success and the ball seems to go over the fence.”
Justin Morneau
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins
Justin Morneau
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Worth Noting
The
NFL Report publication wrote that Forbes.com lists the
Super Bowl as the No. 1 sports brand in the world. In order the
brands are the Super Bowl, Summer Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Daytona 500,
Rose Bowl, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Winter Olympics, Kentucky Derby, World
Series and NBA Finals. An event’s value was calculated from various
revenue sources including TV, tickets and sponsorships.
Michael Cuddyer said the TV commercial where
he “cuts” Johan Santana in half took about four hours to film and
was made last winter here in town. The commercial’s theme plays to
Cuddyer’s love of magic tricks.
Twins
vice president of marketing Patrick Klinger writing via e-mail
about the franchise’s successful armed services promotion last Sunday:
“Armed Services Appreciation Day presented by
Qwest was a huge success. The Twins players and sponsors, via the
TwinsCare program, provided current and former members of the military
and their families with nearly 4,000 complimentary tickets to the
Twins-Blue Jays game. About two dozen families were able to connect to
loved ones serving oversees via live video links in suites at the
dome. The auction of the caps worn by Twins players that day continues
on
www.twinsbaseball.com through
Sunday, June 3. All proceeds benefit the Minnesota Military Family
Foundation.”
Lookinforthesecret won the $45,000
Honor the Hero Turf Express at Canterbury Park on Monday and continued
an unusual success story for owner Balkrisna Sukharan of Blaine.
The horse was acquired by Sukharan for $12,500 in early January. After
winning $27,000 on Monday, Lookinforthesecret has earned $118,840 in
less than five months. The horse has won five of seven starts for Sukharan, a former jockey is his native Guyana.
Former Gopher football player Lewis Garrison is building his
resume as a college basketball referee. Last season his assignments
included officiating three Division II regional playoff games, and MIAC
and state junior college championship games.
St.
Thomas junior Shara Guidry won the women's discus with a throw of
145 feet, 11 inches at the NCAA Division III outdoor track and field
championships last week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Saint John's was the
highest placing MIAC men's team, finishing fourth among
79 teams with 27 points. St. Thomas placed highest among conference
teams with 17 points (tied for 14th among 74 teams).
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John M. Williams, DDS
Cosmetic & Family Dental Care
612-521-7611 |
