NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell has agreed to contribute money to the construction of a new [intlink id=”35″ type=”category”]Minnesota Vikings[/intlink] stadium after meeting with Gov. Mark Dayton, Tuesday.
The amount the league will pitch in hasn’t been disclosed, but it should help ensure the Vikings will both get a new stadium and stay in the Minneapolis area.
“I think the commitment here is to get something done and I think that will ensure the success of the Vikings,” said Goodell, after he was asked if he could envision a scenario where the team would leave Minnesota.
The Vikings have a partnership with Ramsey County to build a $1.1 billion facility in Arden Hills. In addition to the team pitching in $407 million, the state is expected to pitch in another $300 million for the project. The state legislature, which will adjourn next week, is trying to determine the cost of improving roads in the area where the facility will be built.
An answer could come as soon as Wednesday and the NFL’s contribution could be revealed shortly thereafter.
The cost of improving the roads will greatly affect the costs that the league and/or Vikings have to make up for. The state has said all road-improvement costs will come out of their pledged $300 million. If the roads are a huge cost, the amount left over for the Vikings and NFL to actually build the facility could be even greater than expected.
As it stands right now, the NFL’s chunk of building this beast looks to be greater than $300 million and could easily top $400 million if road-improvement costs are substantial.
Is this what’s called an NFL bailout?
It only seems appropriate for a P.O.S. franchise like the Minnesota Vikings.