I know that Viking fans has longed for the day that their beloved team would be good enough to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season but it may have come at the worst possible time for Minnesota taxpayers. With the economy still running near the cliff of insanity, unemployment high, and a mounting debt in Washington D.C., taxpayers – not just in Minnesota – ought to be worried. The 9-1 start by the Vikings is the best in recent memory and they do look like a team that can compete for the NFC title. Along with that is the fact that the lease the Viking has with the Metrodome runs out at the end of the 2011 season. Zigi Wilf and his associates have already made it clear that staying the Dome, as is, is not an option.
While Zigi may say he wants to keep the Vikings in Minnesota, let's face it, Zigi is a business man first. Right now there is a group in Los Angeles that is courting the NFL for a franchise. At last look the mock up the proposed stadium had Vikings colors. I am not saying; rather just saying. Anyone that has owned a business near a stadium will attest that having a professional sports team nearby boost the bottom line. In a time where people are struggling, I can see some Minnesota Legislators making that argument when proposing a new stadium for the Vikings. At the same time, Zigi will play the move card at some point during the discussion. Actually, I think he already has without even saying it by saying that a lease extension is a non-starter.
Are taxpayers ready for a Legislative session that discusses raising of taxes to provide funds for a new Vikings stadium? Let's face it Favre cannot play quarterback forever and soon the Vikings will be turned back over to T-Jack. What then? Will Viking fans continue to support the team with sellouts if the team stumbles in a couple of years? I doubt it. Don't get me wrong, the notion of the Vikings playing in any other state is insane. Then again I do identify more with the Los Angeles Lakers than their former home in Minnesota. Now if the Vikings go on to win the Super Bowl imagine the leverage it will give Zigi and the organization to strap the Minnesotan taxpayer over the barrel.
Or is there another way to fund a stadium? Does the State Legislature have the guts to take on a powerful lobby group and risk the loss of a key political donor to keep the Vikings in Minnesota? The donor and lobby group I refer to is the Native American lobby. The notion of a Racino has been floated around for several years and each year it gets voted down. Now, if the proceeds were to save the Vikings – what warm-blooded Minnesota State Legislature would vote against that? Especially if Favre delivers the Lombardi trophy. Or will the taxpayers of Minnesota be saddled with another heavy handed tax to provide another wealthy businessman a place to house his pet project?
I am certain that the NFL wants Los Angeles more than Los Angeles wants the NFL. It was stated in '84 that what happened in Baltimore will never happen again. Until it happened in Cleveland. My prognosis is that the Vikings are not the only sports team they are courting. Top of the list is Jacksonville followed by Buffalo. Those teams have much smaller markets than Minnesota and would be much more attractive to move. Out of 32 markets, Minneapolis/St Paul is around 15th. That would be a bad precident on the NFL.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think Al Davis should sell the Raiders to someone who could move the team into the brand new stadium. Oakland colesium is older than the Metrodome, and the team itself has a lot of fans in the LA area.
I have heard whisper of Jacksonville. As for Buffalo, I doubt they will move since they are flirting with the idea of games in Toronto and NFL Commish is just hoping to get an international franchise soon.
ReplyDeleteActually the Oakland stadium is not a bad stadium. I was there a few years back. It is not in the most attractive part of town though. I am all for Al Davis stepping aside and letting someone else take the helm.
As for the Vikings, I do not want to have my taxes raised just to keep them. If the State can find alternative sourcing, I'd prefer that. It is good for the local business and brings in some tax money. I am still trying to find hard and fast dollars the team actually brings in for tax revenue. I am not sure if the salaries of the players are taxed Minnesota or another state.
The salaries are taxed in Minnesota. I can't remember if game day checks are taxed in Minnesota or the state where the game is played. Either way, it should turn out to be the same.
ReplyDeleteRoughly, the players bring in 10 million in income taxes. The salary cap is 128 million, the top state income tax rate is 7.85 percent. That excludes coaches and staff salaries and tax on reveunue through other sources such as advertising, ticket sales, appearance fees, etc.