The NFL says they want the Vikings to stay in Minnesota. But the chances of that happening will decrease if a stadium financing plan is not worked by the time the Metrodome’s lease expires later this year.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton met with Eric Grubman, the NFL’s VP of business operations, who expressed his concern.
“We’re worried about a stalemate,” Grubman said after the meeting. “A stalemate means there’s no lease, or the lease is about to expire; there’s no plan for a stadium, and there’s an alternative plan in another city.”
Grubman said that would increase the probability of the Vikings moving somewhere else, though he wouldn’t speculate just how likely. “Our job is to make sure that doesn’t happen,” he said, but added the greater responsibility lies with Dayton and state lawmakers.
While the situation is not yet dire, to make matters worse, the ESPN report mentions that Grubman acknowledged a strong commitment by several — you guessed it — Los Angeles business groups to land a new NFL franchise.
In case you forgot: The Minneapolis Lakers moved to Los Angeles after the 1959-60 season, and did not get an NBA team back again until the Timberwolves' debut season in 1989-90.