Lawmaker: Vikes Will Leave Without Stadium Deal
By Steve Murphy, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A key state lawmaker is convinced the Vikings will leave Minnesota if there's no stadium deal in the upcoming legislative session.
Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead) has been involved in negotiations since last year and is among a select group of lawmakers that's continuing talks with the Vikings. He's still convinced a deal can be reached.
"It's still, I think, feasible and possible to get something done" he said.
But Lanning is just as convinced the Vikings will leave without an agreement.
"I think what will happen is, they would end up selling the team and the new owners would move it," he said.
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The Vikings' lease at the Metrodome expires at the end of the 2011 season.
Earlier this week team Vice President Lester Bagley said the Vikings were considering four local sites for a stadium -- three in Minneapolis and one in a suburban location.
WCCO-TV quotes sources with knowledge of the process as saying three of the four parcels include the Metrodome, a site west of Target Field near the Minneapolis Farmer's Market as well as a suburban site in Arden Hills.
Bagley says the team plans to present a proposal to the state legislature within 30 to 60 days.
