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2008 Target for Stadium Approval

Posted on April 23, 2007February 9, 2012 by David Shama

Roy Terwilliger, chair of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, told Sports Headliners yesterday he hopes state legislation can be approved in 2008 to build a new Vikings stadium on the Metrodome site.  “I know it would be hoping for too much for this year,” he said.  “We’re going over the latter part of this week to the Senate Tax Committee and a week or two later we’ll go to the House Tax Committee.  I think that will get them starting the discussion but I would guess the 2008 session is when action should really be taken and if that happens then it can stay on track so you can have a facility in place for the 2012 Viking season.” 

Sticker shock hit some Minnesotans last week when the commission (its mission is to retain professional sports in this community) and the Vikings announced a near $1 billion price tag for a new football stadium with a retractable roof.  Although not specified yet by amount, the Vikings are expected to contribute to the funding.  

The commission, the Vikings, including owner Zygi Wilf, and state government leaders are taking a leadership position on the stadium as the clock ticks down to expiration of the team’s lease in the Metrodome after the 2011 season.  Terwilliger thinks Minnesotans and the state legislature will decide the Vikings are too valuable to lose after more information is provided and discussion takes place. 

“I think the community needs to have the discussion and I think once you do that you have a better understanding by leadership of what’s necessary to retain them,” he said.  “I think people would not want to lose the Vikings.  I think if you lose the Vikings… (you) go out and get another team and do the same thing and it would probably be more costly. … I don’t think the public wants to do that. …” 

Terwilliger said the strategy is to bring the plan for the stadium (also includes redevelopment of the surrounding neighborhood) to the legislative leadership without specifics as to funding.  The city of Minneapolis is restricted by law from providing more than $10 million to build a stadium.  Hennepin County by itself will not fund the Viking facility because of its sales tax commitment for the new Twins stadium.   

It was suggested to Terwilliger that stadium proponents will consider funding sources such as metro or state sales tax revenues, car rental taxes, and sales or users taxes in and around the stadium area.  “It’s going to be a combination of one or some of those things,” he said.  “I hate to speculate on what it might be.  There are all kinds of examples of what has taken place (around the country to fund stadiums). …” 

Terwilliger said there may be some cost cutting to the final budget for the project but clearly the price announced last week will not change dramatically.  Part of that reality is the project includes millions for infrastructure and parking but it’s also because the Vikings insist on a new (not renovated Metrodome) stadium, and both the commission and team want a retractable roof. 

Terwilliger said the Vikings are at the bottom among NFL teams in revenues.  A remodeled dome won’t provide the fan enhancements, amenities and resulting revenues that a new stadium offers.  From the community perspective, he said, a large new facility with a roof continues the tradition set by the Metrodome of attracting a variety of events ranging from religious rallies to concerts to truck pulls to NCAA Final Fours to high school playoffs.  “The fact is that in 25 years, 77 million people have visited events of one kind or another whether it be a Super Bowl, or a Final Four, or World Series, or whatever,” Terwilliger said. 

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Location of Pitches Challenges Bonser

Posted on April 23, 2007February 9, 2012 by David Shama

Boof Bonser, scheduled to start tomorrow’s game against the Royals at the Metrodome, hasn’t looked like the pitcher who could become the team’s No. 2 starter behind Johan Santana.  Bonser’s record: 0-1, 6.53 ERA.  He’s given up the most home runs on the staff, seven. 

That’s a contrast to last September when his record for the month was 4-1, 2.63 ERA. He was named American League Rookie of the Month.   Bonser had a promising season with the Twins, twice being called up from AAA Rochester to help rescue a starting staff competing for the AL Central Division championship.  In his rookie season Bonser’s record was 7-6 with a 4.22 ERA.  

In preseason 2007 there was talk the 25-year-old Bonser might replace the injured Francisco Liriano as the team’s second best pitcher.  So far Bonser leads the staff in walks with nine in 20.2 innings and that’s a clue why the young right hander from Florida has struggled. 

“It’s just placement,”Bonser told Sports Headliners yesterday.  “Maybe (for example) rather than throwing the ball in the dirt, I am leaving it up.  That’s the biggest thing.  The pitching selection (variety) is there.  It’s just pretty much with my location right now.  It’s a little off.” 

Bonser was happy with his control last season, often locating the ball where he wanted it.  He said in his last start this season “everything was right where I wanted it to be.  It just didn’t work out in my favor.”  (In that game Bonser gave up only one walk in five innings at Kansas City).  

Bonser said even in spring training location of his pitches wasn’t optimal.  “I was getting away with it there,” he said.  “Now that the regular season is around I am not getting away with it.  …”  

Bonser has devoted a “little bit” more bullpen time between starts to work his way toward better placement.  As always, he talks with pitching coach Rick Anderson and studies video.  “I am not panicking,” he said. “It’ll get there.”

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Worth Noting

Posted on April 23, 2007February 9, 2012 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota athletic department has mailed a new brochure regarding NCAA rules to thousands of boosters.  A booster is defined by multiple criteria in the brochure including financial contribution to the University. Among the many NCAA restrictions is that a booster can’t purchase a restaurant meal for an athlete or send a get well card.  “We continue to do all we can to educate our student-athletes, staff and boosters of NCAA rules and this brochure is another avenue,” athletic director Joel Maturi said via e-mail.  “I believe we printed 20,000 and will mail to season ticket holders, donors and all.”  

Joanne McCallie, who was the Michigan State women’s basketball head coach, left the Spartans last week to take over at Duke.  You wonder if former Clem Haskins Gopher assistant Al Brown, a women’s assistant at MSU, will follow McCallie to Duke.  Brown has worked as an assistant coach for men’s and women’s teams in both the Big Ten and Southeastern conferences.  I don’t think anyone else can claim that on a resume. 

Among the local fighters to watch with interest is Minneapolis heavyweight Joey Abell who has 12 knockouts in 12 victories.   He fights Harvey Jolley of Detroit tonight at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul.  The headline fight on the card is the featherweight match between Jason Litzau of St. Paul and Aldo Valtierra of Mexico City.  The bout will be televised by ESPN2.   

Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday Canterbury Park is offering a free informational seminar on racehorse ownership. The seminar focuses on forming a partnership, licensing, finding a trainer and claiming horses.  For more information, call Jeff Maday, 952-496-6437. 

The Mr./Miss Basketball begins at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Minneapolis Marriott West in St. Louis Park.  For more information, call 651-503-8881.  

The Minnesota North Stars, starting with the 1967-68 season, made the playoffs in five of their first seven years.   The Minnesota Wild has been in the playoffs twice in seven seasons. 

Hockey fan favorite Glen Sonmor wants to return as color commentator on Gopher radio broadcasts next season.  Sonmor said he works on a one year contract.

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