Vikings Fans Rally At Capitol To Save Team, Fight For Bill
ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- Like true Vikings, dozens of fans wearing head to toe purple and gold stormed the Minnesota Capitol steps, carrying signs and singing songs to try to keep the team here.
Lawmakers only have one week left in the legislative session. A Senate panel passed the bill on Friday after it failed in a House committee.
One sign in the crowd Monday morning read, "Preserve the Vikes in Minnesota. NO excuses."
Scott Asplund, otherwise known as "Skolt," was leading the charge.
"Today we have an organic group of fans that have gotten together, not from the Vikings, not from any party or anything like that, just here because we want our legislators to know we need to get this stadium done," Asplund said.
The group left the steps and went door to door at the State Capitol building, asking lawmakers to vote in favor of the Stadium bill.
"It's too important to us, as fans, as Minnesotans, economically for jobs, all the reasons ... so many reasons this is a no-brain decision," Asplund said.
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That sentiment was echoed by others like Lance Hagen. He said the stadium should have been handled years ago, when the economy was better.
"If you let them leave, which there's a good chance of that, to get them back would cost a lot more," Hagen said.
Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley also addressed the fans at the Capitol.
"We're in decent shape. We've got some momentum, thanks a lot to the fans and everything you guys have done," said Bagley. "Still, the odds are long, so we can't slow down. But what's going to push us over the top is our fans."
Bagley said there will a Vikings Stadium hearing Monday night and another one on Tuesday.
