Caution: LA is coming to steal your NFL team in 2011

[I-10east]

^^^Well said.

[BridgeTroll]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/30395/bbao-growing-concern-for-vikings-owner

As a team official noted "growing concern" from team ownership about the state's commitment to the franchise, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton suggested he would support a voter referendum on the Minnesota Vikings stadium proposal. If Dayton follows through with that plan, the project would at least be further delayed and possibly threatened altogether.

It's important to add our traditional caveat that all stadium deals are complicated, and many evoke increasingly heated rhetoric. It's part of the game. But here is where the Vikings are now: Dayton said at the Minnesota State Fair that there are many unanswered questions about the team's $1.057 billion proposal for suburban Arden Hills and that he would be "supportive" of a Ramsey County referendum. "In a case like this, people should have their own voice," Dayton said. (Courtesy Minnesota Public Radio.)

Stadium supporters have often sought to circumvent referendums, believing it unlikely that that citizens will vote to increase their taxes no matter what the purpose. Indeed, Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett said a referendum could be a deal-breaker for the project. It's worth noting that baseball's Target Field was approved without referendum in Hennepin County.

On the same day, Vikings vice president Lester Bagley had this to say about owner Zygi Wilf's attitude toward the stadium situation, via Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com: "I am concerned. There is growing concern within our ownership, there is no doubt, about where this is headed and the fact that every year, we get to the end of the [legislative] session and there's a different reason why [it didn't get done]."

Again, much of what you just read, if you made it that far, is part of the process. But you can add the referendum issue to a series of hurdles that already exist, from a staunch anti-tax state legislature to the proposals of environmental studies that could delay the project. The Vikings' Metrodome lease expires Feb. 1, 2012.

[Bativac]

Not to derail the thread but -- a billion dollar stadium?! Holy @#$!!! Even if the county is only paying half --!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Shouldn't really surprise you, should it?

Everyone in the NFL is now trying to keep up with the Jones' - literally.

[duvaldude08]

There better get something done quick or they will be in LA. Aside from Minesota. Who else has stadium issues? Isnt it the Chargers, Raiders and 49's?

[Steve]

St Louis as well.

[duvaldude08]

^^^Oh yeah forgot about the Rams. I will see this much, atleast WW and the city do what they can to make sure our stadium is up to part. In its 16 year history it has already been renovated/upgraded twice. Currrently he is trying to get the screens in the stadium upgraded from analog to digital, and wire the stadium for internet/wifi. An indoor pratice bubble is also going to be built for the team. Speaking of that, I noticed most team dont have a practice field at the stadiums.

[Rynjny]

When did they said they going to built an indoor practice bubble for the Jags?

[Rynjny]

guys worry about our own problems before worrying about other cities problems. The titans game is not looking good to be a sellout. Still don't get why peoples in this town won't support this team.

[Tacachale]

The most serious stadium issues are the Chargers and the Vikings. However, the Vikings are much better supported than the Chargers. The Raiders, 49ers, and Rams also have stadium issues, as do the Bills. The Saints also had stadium issues that have been resolved for the time being.

Basically, after this year, the Chargers are free to leave if they pay a (pretty steep) early termination fee. With no new stadium deal even on the table, they're in big trouble.

The Vikings' contract also ends after this season. They want a huge ridiculous stadium the locals are balking at, but both the ownership and the NFL would clearly prefer them to stay in Minneapolis. At any rate, they are much more likely to end up working a stadium deal than the Chargers.

The Bills' lease expires after 2012 but they too could leave after this season if they pay an early termination fee. There are no plans for a new stadium and the owner is 92, and they are starting to struggle with attendance. But of course Wilson is absolutely devoted to Buffalo.

The Raiders' lease expires after 2013, and there is basically no way Californians will foot the bill for a new Raiders stadium with public money. They're also struggling with attendance and have moved twice before. Their best hope for a new stadium in the Bay Area seems to be a shared one with the 49ers.

The 49ers lease expires after 2014; they just extended it from 2012. They need a new stadium that will be a difficult sell, but they are much better supported and in a much better position to get a stadium than the Raiders. They are very unlikely to move.

The Rams can also leave after 2014 if St. Louis doesn't provide improvements to the stadium. They have time to work on this, but anything could happen in two years.

As for the Saints, they got their improvements to the Superdome and renewed their lease through 2025. However, there are other ways to get out of contracts if you throw enough money around. That's also the problem we have with our otherwise strong lease.

[BridgeTroll]

The 49'ers play at Candelstick..  The stick is a dump...  probably the worst of all the stadiums mentioned.  The Niners are well supported but will likely move to the south bay... Santa Clara... just on the border with San Jose...

The 49ers need a new stadium. That much is clear.

But where will that stadium be? And who is going to pay for it? That remains unclear.

The team insists it can build a new home next to its current headquarters, in Santa Clara, opening in 2015. But they have raised only a little over $250 million to spend on a project that will come close to $1 billion to build, if not more...



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/27/SPV81KRMCC.DTL#ixzz1WWyeFXQ7

[duvaldude08]

guys worry about our own problems before worrying about other cities problems. The titans game is not looking good to be a sellout. Still don't get why peoples in this town won't support this team.

Are you supporting team?

[duvaldude08]

When did they said they going to built an indoor practice bubble for the Jags?

It was in the T-U about a few months ago. They wanted premission to close off one of those roads that cut throught the sports complex to build the bubble. The team is paying for it.

http://m.jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2011-06-18/story/new-mayor-alvin-brown-will-have-work-jaguars-stadium-issues

[Rynjny]

guys worry about our own problems before worrying about other cities problems. The titans game is not looking good to be a sellout. Still don't get why peoples in this town won't support this team.

Are you supporting team?

Of course I'm supporting the team. I've purchase extra season ticket for donation. Did u do that?

[duvaldude08]

guys worry about our own problems before worrying about other cities problems. The titans game is not looking good to be a sellout. Still don't get why peoples in this town won't support this team.

Are you supporting team?

You better believe it! I was just making sure that you were supporter. LOL I have season tickets. I bought two single game tickets for the rams game and gave them to friends. And I just ordered an extra single game ticket for the Titans to give aways to someone.  I wish I could buy more

Of course I'm supporting the team. I've purchase extra season ticket for donation. Did u do that?