MSFC Extends Vikings’ Lease at the Metrodome

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission has passed a resolution offering the Vikings a lease extension to the Metrodome. But the Vikings see the move as both disappointing and counter productive.

The resolution passed by the Commission on Thursday offers the Vikings continued rent-free use of the Metrodome. But the resolution is contingent upon the Vikings agreeing to keeping the team in Minnesota and signing a two year extension to the lease that expires at the end of the 2011 season.

Commission Chairman Roy Terwillger says the resolution is meant to be an olive branch to the Vikings.

“This basically was the authorization for us to go forward and sit down and talk with them,” said Terwillger. “So as a Landlord we’re going to be saying what do you think and hear what they have to say and maybe be able to discuss this further with the commission.”

The Vikings have publicly said for the past two years that the team has no intention of extending its current lease. The Vikings are currently among the lowest revenue teams in the NFL and owner Zygi Wilf says the team cannot afford to stay in the Metrodome.

Vikings Director of Public Affairs, Lester Bagely says the Commission’s move does nothing more that delays the work to build a new stadium.

“They are pushing to goal line back, they are avoiding the issue,” said Bagley.

He says the team and the state need to move forward now to take advantage of lowering construction costs.

“They are ignoring the fact that costs are going down on the construction side, the bond rates are going down, there’s an opportunity to create jobs and our legislature is certainly looking to create jobs. There’s a real opportunity in 2010 and they’ve basically said lets move it back instead of forward and they’re not helping us.”

Bagley says he no longer views the Sports Commission as a partner and will start reaching out to business groups, labor, and lawmakers to start forming the funding package needed to finance an estimated $950 Million stadium.