The optimism that prervaded the Minnesota Vikings' quest for a new stadium was nowhere to be found Monday, after the stadium bill was defeated by the state House.
According to the Pioneer Press, bill sponsor Morrie Lanning, a Republican from Moorhead, said the bill was unlikely to pass during this session, which is expected to let out before May.
Lanning went on to say that for the bill to pass,
"Somebody's going to have to pull a rabbit out of a hat."
His disappointment was echoed by Vikings president Lester Bagley.
....Bagley called the outcome "extremely disappointing" and said "it's a mistake" for people to assume the Vikings and the NFL will continue operating under the status quo.
He said that isn't a threat that the team will leave, but "Minnesota's in control of their destiny.
"We've done everything we've been asked," Bagley said. The question for the state is: "What else would you expect us to do?"
Bagley added that the Vikes will continue to push the proposal until this session lets out.
The stadium plan puts the price tag at $975 million, of which the state would pay $398 million, the team $427 million (with the aid of an NFL loan), and Minneapolis $150 million.
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