New stadium equals stimulus, Vikings say
(AP) - The Minnesota Vikings have an idea for stimulating the economy: a new football stadium.
The team says it would create more than 5,500 jobs and provide $500 million or more to contractors in the state.
The Vikings have been pushing for a new stadium for more than a decade. Their latest plan seeks more than $635 million in public money for a downtown stadium with an overall price tag of almost $1 billion.
Spokesman Lester Bagley says the Vikings are a public asset and the stadium would create an economic boost.
But Minnesota has a nearly $5 billion deficit to figure out, and the Star Tribune reports that two legislative leaders laughed out loud when asked whether the House and Senate would seriously consider the Vikings' bid.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher says it has no chance. Gov. Tim Pawlenty also opposes state money for the Vikings.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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