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April 20, 2012
Quick, everybody freak out at once about the Vikings moving!
It's been a fun week in Minnesota since the Vikings stadium bill was effectively killed by the state legislature, or at least fun if you're a breathless headline writer. So far this week we've had:
- Eric Grubman, the NFL's exquisitely named designated stadium hitman, warned on Wednesday that the time is "getting ripe" for the Vikings to move to another city, adding, "There are plenty of willing buyers. I think the Wilfs do not want to sell the franchise, but I think there is a point where they probably would be open-minded." This is, of course, what commissioners and their assistants do, because it's much harder for team owners themselves to play that game.
- Gov. Mark Dayton reported that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney were flying to Minnesota to meet with him, warning: "If it isn't passed this session, the league itself — beyond the Vikings — the league itself has serious concerns about the viability of the franchise here." Dayton didn't indicate whether Steely McBeam has concerns as well.
- The Los Angeles Times asked whether all this means that the Vikings will be moving to L.A., and after diligent research uncovered the fact that "a plane belonging to Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was spotted Thursday at a Southern California airport."
- ESPN's Kevin Seifert felt obligated to run a blog item with the headline, "Breathe people, breathe."
- Mike Ozanian from Forbes, meanwhile, speculates that the NFL wants Minnesota to build a new stadium for the Vikings so that they don't move to L.A., so that the NFL can then reap the expansion fee from putting a new team in L.A. In the L.A. stadium that the NFL says it has no interest in, that is, because it would force the team to pay a ton in rent. Which would reduce any windfall from an expansion fee.
Right now, everyone is just killing time until the state legislative session ends, at which point we can get back to the more important question of whether the state will call a special legislative session to discuss a Vikings stadium bill.
He senses the stadium cash is close. The strength of the legislators is failing. In his heart, Governor Dayton begins to understand. The quest will claim his 2nd term. In the gathering dark, the will of the NFL grows strong. It works hard now to find its way back into the pockets of Minnesotans. Minnesotan football fans, who are so easily seduced by its power. The young speaker of the house has but to extend his hand to move the bill out of committee and the taxpayers will fall. Piggy is close now, so close to achieving his goal. For the NFL will have dominion over all cash on hand, even until the ending of the world. The time of the public having a say is over.
p.s. I needs me some public stadium cash, now!
Posted by Piggy Wilf on April 20, 2012 11:57 AM
I am still waiting for someone show the state getting anywhere near $700 million in benefits from this expenditure.
This is currently a horrible horrible deal for the taxpayers of Minnesota and a great deal for Ziggy Wilf.
Alas this is the United States in 2012. In 2010-2011 CEO pay increased 40%, what other part of the US economy grew that much during that period? Anything? Anything at all?
But the people at the top of socio-economic hierarchy are getting better and better at hovering up all the resources for themselves and bending our outmoded and weak political system to their devices.
Why try to run the state effectively when you can just hand out money to one of the richest men in the country?
Posted by Joshua Northey on April 20, 2012 03:53 PM
And Goodell dropped the LA threat to MN state lawmakers, which is no threat if they ever bother to look at the finances of that crap deal. Just hope MN realizes they hold all the cards here, not the NFL, not Wilf and certainly not LA.
Posted by Ken on April 20, 2012 06:16 PM
As I've said: it's a done deal. Now that the threats have gone public, the timorous legislators - already scared - will fold like the worn out towels at Motel 6. Special session right after the election, great bipartisan comradeship, magical revenue sources, taxpayers get f***ed, congratulations all around.
Coming very soon to a Minnesota near you.
Posted by Dave Boz on April 20, 2012 11:42 PM
Unbelievable. I actually cursed out loud while reading the paper this morning when I saw the headline.
Posted by Mark on April 21, 2012 12:49 PM