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April 22, 2011
State share of Vikings stadium would mostly tax sports-jersey buyers
The Minnesota Department of Revenue put out its revenue estimates for the state's $300 million share of a Vikings stadium cost yesterday. The upshot: The vast majority of the state money (more than two-thirds) would come from a sports memorabilia tax, with a 5% income tax surcharge on Vikings player salaries a distant second; taxes on luxury suite rentals and satellite TV services would amount to not much more than rounding errors. Also, since all sports memorabilia would be subject to the tax surcharge, this means that this "user fee" would be hitting Twins and Wild fans even if they had no interest in football.
As for the local third of the stadium cost, which would likely come mostly from a countywide sales tax hike, that still has no takers. Hennepin County board chair Mike Opat — who, you may recall, helped lead the charge for a new Twins stadium — this week pretty much ruled out his county bidding to become the Vikings' new home on these terms, telling Minnesota Public Radio, "I think the odds are against it" and "It's hard to think that when there's a summons to come rescue the Vikings stadium effort, that we're going to leap to the front of the line."
With Minneapolis likely out of the running thanks to its voter-approved $10 million cap on city stadium funding, that would leave Ramsey County as the only remaining Vikings suitor. Assuming anyone believes that the Vikings bill has a snowball's chance of hell in making through the state legislature this year in the first place.
Just a correction in this: the sports memorabilia tax would also affect Timberwolves fans...
Oh wait, never mind. Carry on.
Posted by Geoff on April 22, 2011 11:14 AM
"Hennepin County board chair Mike Opat pretty much ruled out his county bidding to become the Vikings' new home on these terms."
Yes, these terms. If the these terms morph into those terms (i.e., free luxury box for use by the County, free parking for the County board chair, tax-free jerseys for board members), then Hennepin County got itself a new stadium.
Would someone please explain how a Twin Cities House district can repeatedly vote for Michelle Bachmann yet refuses to riot against these tax payer give-aways?
Posted by bevo on April 22, 2011 12:38 PM
I read your crappy blog because it comes up when I search for legitimate Vikings updates on their much deserved stadium. What are you, a Fudge-Packer fan? Wouldn't surprise me with the crap articles you write.
We all know you are Anti Stadium that much is obvious. Sen. Dave Thompson, is that you? I didn't know you had a blog. Either way, it sucks.
SKOL VIKES!
Posted by Why are you such a negative Douche? on April 22, 2011 01:43 PM
I'm leaving up the homophobic taunt above (which normally would get taken down under this site's no-personal-attacks policy) for two reasons: 1) it's an attack on me, and I can take it, and 2) it gives me the opportunity to post this helpful tip:
IF YOU DON'T LIKE A SITE'S COVERAGE, DON'T CLICK ON IT.
This has been a public service message.
Posted by Neil deMause on April 22, 2011 02:23 PM
Is the city of St. Paul interested in the Vikings new stadium?
Posted by Daniel Francis on April 24, 2011 04:05 AM
Neil;
It's like a law of nature, isn't it? When some dimwit posts aggressive rantings, you can always bet safely on the fact that they will be too cowardly to put their actual name on it... much less make such outrageous comments to one's face.
Take it for what it is, the rantings of a coward. Nothing more.
Neil;
Just to clarify, is the "jersey" tax to be imposed on all sports memorabilia sold in Minnesota? Or will it only affect "local" team products?
IE: if a Raider fan (I know, it's a hypothetical question...) in Bloomington buys a Ken Stabler jersey, does s/he pay the tax? Or will it only be on Vikes/Twins/Twolves/Wild merch? Does it affect local college merchandise as well?
"Sports memorabilia are items available for sale to the public that are sold under a license granted by any professional sports league or a team that is a franchise of a professional sports league, or an affiliate or subsidiary of a league or team."
So Ken Stabler jerseys get taxed, college jerseys don't. Which means I guess you could show your support for the Vikings tax-free by wearing one of these: www.uffdatees.com
Posted by Neil deMause on April 24, 2011 04:56 PM