Without A Stadium Decision, Could The Vikings Leave?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The clock is ticking for a new Vikings stadium to get the green light at the capital.
Gov. Mark Dayton and lawmakers are meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to talk about the proposed site in Arden Hills.
They're expected to ask Goodell what the NFL will do to get a new stadium built.
Ramsey County, however, still needs to bring a bill to the capital.
So if the deal doesn't get done on time, could the Vikings really leave?
Mark Rosen and Sen. Julie Rosen aren't related, but both have opinions on what will happen if the Vikings agreement with Ramsey County doesn't make it through the capital.
Julie Rosen (R, Fairmont), is the chief author of the stadium bill. Mark Rosen has been covering the Vikings for nearly 40 years.
"No one knows. No one knows what the Wilf's will do," Julie Rosen said. "I can't tell you they aren't going to sign another lease."
Mark Rosen (Rosey) sees other cities, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Detroit, get their stadium issues worked out even with their own budget issues. He's hoping the Vikings don't get fumbled away.
"The Vikings are the crown jewel of the sports franchises here in Minnesota. And if they were to leave, if that possibility existed, good luck getting another one back," Rosey said.
Julie Rosen calls the Vikings a cornerstone of the state. She says the budget comes first, but thinks the stadium issue will be resolved in this session or a special session.
"I believe we can get all this done, the budget, the Vikings, before the session is over," she said.
She wants to make it clear that if this goes through it will be a multi-purpose stadium, home to much more than just the Vikings.
Those against the stadium point out that there are plenty of hurdles to overcome, with just a week to go in the session. To list three: How will the road situation get worked out in Ramsey County? Who will operate the stadium? And how much would taxpayers have to pay?
The Rosen's do agree on one thing: There is a lot to work out and not a lot of time to do it.
