Lester Bagley remembers a conversation with his nine-year-old son Michael at 2 a.m. only hours after the Minnesota legislature approved the Vikings stadium bill last spring. Bagley, the Vikings executive who for years led the fight to win public approval for a new stadium, was exhausted on that night and was lying in bed when Michael said:
“Dad, you passed the bill. Let’s hope the governor doesn’t veto it.”
In an interview with Sports Headliners last week Bagley talked about the 10-year campaign for the stadium while discussing how the issue impacted him and his family. Bagley worked on the issue for previous owner Red McCombs and for the last seven years for the Wilf ownership group. The process was a physically and emotionally demanding experience for those most involved including Bagley, the Vikings executive vice president for public affairs and stadium development.
Bagley told Sports Headliners: “Over these many years there were many times where we thought we were close but weren’t and there were many times when we thought this is never going to get done. This may not be possible in this market to do this deal.”
Bagley said the strategy was to go back every year and try again. This year, during the five days leading up to passage of the bill, the Vikings thought optimistically about their chances. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s message that state leaders needed to make a decision after years of indecision was impactful. All Goodell asked, Bagley said, was give the bill a chance to be voted on.
In the end the Vikings owners compromised on the stadium site and agreed to a roof while pledging $477 million — the third largest private contribution total by an NFL team in league history — toward the $975 million facility that will be located downtown on the Metrodome site, and is also financed by the state and city of Minneapolis.
The stadium architect will be selected later this year and the facility is scheduled to open in 2016. The stadium ensures the future of the franchise because the Vikings will now be in a facility that allows them to compete financially with other NFL teams but Bagley doesn’t want “credit” for his lead role.
“People come up to me and not only recognize me from the deal but are so appreciative of what we did in their view…that we saved the Vikings because of what was at stake in securing this franchise,” Bagley said. “The overwhelming response throughout the state of Minnesota wherever I’ve gone (is) people coming up to me saying, ‘Thank you.’
“ ‘Thanks for doing what you did. Thanks for putting up with all the stuff you guys put up with and thanks for hanging in there and getting it done because I am not sure what I would have done if we had lost the Vikings.’ ”
The appreciation expressed by so many toward the Wilfs, Bagley and the entire Vikings organization isn’t too surprising since nearly 70 percent of state residents follow the team’s games on Sunday. The Vikings are a cultural phenomenon like no other sports or entertainment attraction in the state.
That’s not to say some citizens weren’t opposed to what Bagley described as the largest public project ever undertaken by the state (a $348 million commitment). Bagley was the target of verbal abuse. The team’s director of security was asked to come to the state capitol and critics called his Minneapolis home.
“It was just nasty,” Bagley said. “People calling you at home. People going off on me and swearing at me. Out of control angry.”
But Bagley persevered and he said persistence is one of the traits that define him. Growing up in small town Barron, Wisconsin— about two hours fromMinneapolis —he swept the floors as a 12 year old at his dad’s farm implement store. When he finished sweeping he asked his dad what chore he should do next. “Sweep it again,” his father replied.
Bagley left the Midwest to attend college at UCLA and later worked on the East Coast. He has about 25 years experience in public affairs and public relations. With the Vikings he manages those areas which include the club’s extensive community relations work with nonprofits.
Besides his persistence, how does he think others regard him professionally? “Dedicated, hard working, loyal,” Bagley said. “Good guy, nice guy, funny guy. Try not to take myself too seriously. Good boss. At least they say they like working for me (laughs).”
As for family, Bagley devotes time to coaching baseball with Michael and his six-year-old brother Charlie. He grew up a baseball fan and admits his passion for sports impacts weekly date nights with wife Wendy (deputy secretary of the Minnesota Senate). “My wife is a little bit tired of going out on dates that are sporting events,” he said.
When Bagley has some personal time he enjoys golf (he played on his high school team) or just finding a few moments to laugh and relax. “Always appreciated humor and the lighter side of life,” he said. “When I was going to UCLA I would go down to the Comedy Store a lot. …
“Somebody I think is extremely funny is Dan Cole, the (KFAN Radio) Common Man. He’s one of my favorite comedians and he’s not a comedian. He’s just a naturally funny person.”
Next week Bagley and family leave for a short vacation that will include the Black Hills. Son Michael now knows governor Mark Dayton signed the stadium bill. He probably also realizes dad deserves a break.
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