Lester Bagley

The Viking Stadium bill made more progress late Tuesday night when it passed through the Minnesota Senate floor. The senate version is different than the house in many ways. The differences between the house and senate bills need to be resolved in conference committee today or tomorrow before going before the house and senate for final approval. The major difference in the senate bill include user fees in addition to electronic pull tabs to pay for the state's portion and a $25 Million increase in financial commitment from the Vikings and a $25 Million decrease from the state.

The Vikings Stadium bill passed the Minnesota House 73-58 in a floor vote Monday night. Debate on the Vikings stadium started shortly after 2pm and continued until the vote at 10:30pm. The bill changed with an amendment that added financial responsibility for the Vikings and reduced the financial responsibility for the state. In this amendment the state would share in revenue from naming rights while in the previous plan the Vikings would have received 100% of the revenue from naming rights. The Vikings in this amendment would also be responsible for any stadium cost overruns.

The Vikings are crossing their fingers as the Vikings Stadium bill could be voted on today in the state house. Debating in the Vikings Stadium bill is expected to start today at around 2 or 3 pm. The vote may not happen until early Tuesday morning. The debating of the Vikings Stadium bill may take 10-12 hours. Vikings Vice President for Stadium Development Lester Bagley says the stadium is "within striking distance." Governor Mark Dayton feels as though they have the necessary votes to pass the bill.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Vikings Vice President of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley says "There is no next year" when asked if the Vikings would pursue a Stadium deal during the next legislative session. Governor Mark Dayton responded Tuesday after the Viking Stadium bill failed in conference committee Monday night saying that the Vikings will get their stadium in 2013. Bagley went on to say "The last governor said in 2006 we'll come back and work on yours next year. That was 6 years ago. No action this year is a decision."

Minnesota Vikings Vice President of Stadium Development Lester Bagley says the Vikings would be willing to pay for 1/3 the cost of an outdoor stadium with the remaining 2/3 being paid for publicly.