An end game, finally, in the Vikings stadium debate?

Posted at 7:41 AM on March 1, 2012 by Paul Tosto
Filed under: Sport

Hard to believe? You bet. But Vikings owners, state lawmakers and Minneapolis officials will announce a deal this morning to build a new football stadium.

It's basically a variation on the most recent plan: Build it next to the Metrodome, where the Vikings would continue to play while the new structure goes up; then tear down the Metrodome and let the Vikes play at the University of Minnesota football stadium for a season until the new facility is complete.

"All the players were in the room... You'll see the details tomorrow morning," stadium bill sponsor Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, told reporters last night as she left the governor's office Wednesday evening. "It's a good package, and we can't wait to unveil it. It's time."

Gov. Dayton's office confirms Vikings stadium presser for 9A today. Lists Vikings, legislators, business & labor leaders, Rybak & governor.

— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) March 1, 2012

Cynics will note we've been here before with politicians telling us a deal's at hand. But the public financing part of a new Vikings stadium has always been controversial -- and that's still there. It still faces roadblocks at the Legislature and at the Minneapolis City Council.

We'll get the deal details at 9 a.m. Push aside the plans and the hoopla and the question that's dogged the Vikings project from the start will still be there: Do you have the votes to spend the public's money?

ATTN morning news reporters: this #Vikings stadium "deal" still requires passage by Mpls City Council & #mnleg. Put down your shovels.

— Brian McClung (@bmcclung) March 1, 2012