World Wrestling Entertainment exec to manage new Vikings stadium
Updated 2:55 p.m. | Posted 12:15 p.m.
It's still under construction, but the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and the Vikings say they've hired a manager to run their new stadium.
Patrick Talty will be the stadium's general manager when it opens in 2016, the stadium authority said Tuesday. He's coming to Minnesota from World Wrestling Entertainment, the professional wrestling company based in Connecticut. He was senior vice president for live events there.
Talty, 42, grew up in northern Virginia and said he considers that area home. He has been working in the event and venue industry for more than 20 years.
He was general manager for a 45,000-seat stadium complex in Abu Dhabi and also worked as assistant general manager for the University of Phoenix stadium where the NFL's Cardinals play in Arizona.
Talty said he's looking forward to moving to Minnesota for the new stadium and to raise his family. He and his wife have four children, ages 7 to 16.
He's scheduled to start next week.
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