Pawlenty says Minnesota needs to keep Vikings

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says the state needs to find a way to hang onto the Minnesota Vikings.

Pawlenty raised the Vikings stadium issue today during his weekly radio show.

Officials with the NFL team says they're not interested in extending their Metrodome lease, which expires after the 2011 season. They want a large public investment to build a new stadium.

Pawlenty sounded sympathetic to the stadium issue but offered no specific solutions.

"I think it's fair to say the Metrodome has served us well, but its time is fading. And so we've got to figure out a way to keep the Vikings here," said Pawlenty. "We value the Vikings. They're an incredibly important asset to Minnesota."

Pawlenty said he would devote time in a future program for further discussion of the stadium issue. The Republican governor is not seeking re-election next year.

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