After word arrived earlier today that Minnesota would not raise taxes to fund a new stadium, the Vikings were conspicuously quiet. However, Lester Bagley, Vikings Vice President of Business Affairs and Stadium Development, has now commented on the latest developments.
“We have a local partner, it’s Ramsey County. We have an ideal site, it’s Arden Hills,” Bagley said, via FOX 9. “We have had zero talks with Minneapolis. We have a partner and it’s Arden Hills. There’s time to pull this together. We’re confident our leaders can get this done.”
Bagley speaks of progress, but time is clearly of the essence at this juncture.
“We still have a couple months before the lease expires,” Bagley said in an email to PFT. “The good news [is that] all 4 Legislative leaders [and] Governor are working together, trying to resolve it, for the first time ever. Today was mostly about the process moving forward, narrowing the focus. There are still enough revenue streams on the table that would resolve this issue in Minnesota. Replacing $350 [million] from Ramsey County will be difficult. We look forward to seeing the State’s comprehensive finance plan.”