Vikings Stadium 'Certain to Be Built'

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota Vikings Vice President of Public Affairs and Stadium Development Lester Bagley says a new football stadium is "certain to be built" and said the issue will be "sorted out imminently." His comments came in an online chat with fans Wednesday.

Little action is expected on the stadium front at the Capitol in the next few days, as Minnesota legislators first deal with budget issues, and the Republican Party convention this Thursday through Saturday in Minneapolis.

"We are confident a deal will get done," Bagley said in the chat. "The Vikings belong in Minnesota and we have been patient through this process. We understand there are other priorities for legislators but we feel we can address this issue at the same time. There is pressure from other NFL owners and from other markets, but we remain confident we can resolve this issue in Minnesota."

Bagley cited construction jobs and the early success of Target Field for the Twins and north end of downtown Minneapolis as reasons a stadium deal should get done.

Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, has said a stadium bill could be introduced before the session runs out in three weeks. Solberg said the Legislature has to fix the state's health and human services budget first.

Earlier this month, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich laughed at the idea of a Vikings stadium bill, saying the full focus is on the budget.

"Other members may be in discussion with the Vikings, but we're focused on the budget from where we're sitting," Sertich said.

Weeks have passed since that statement and optimism is the attitude at Winter Park.

"It is certain to be built," Bagley said in Wednesday's chat. "In terms of location, legislators have proposed two options that will likely be part of the legislation."

One option, Bagley said, is a "site-neutral proposal" that would allow a local partner to propose and a finance plan. The other option is the current Metrodome site in Minneapolis.

"However, the Metrodome bill that passed included a site selection process, so it's possible that that's the path we will go down," Bagley said. "This issue will be sorted out imminently."